Star Wars - Tales from the Outer Rim

"First Contact"
By: Rylaa Lyssander - PC
Dargus Kandran - PC
Lani Vissip - NPC+
Lorgal - NPC
Various NPCs

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Vadris 7th, 4ABY

***

"What do you see?" Lani asked as she nudged Rylaa. They were outside the Jedi Enclave after having rented a couple swoops and following the map Lani's contact had given them. Not one to just show up unannounced at someone's door, especially someone like a Jedi, they were doing some recon. A soft snoring sound behind them came from the Barabel bodyguard, Lorgal, whose contract had been purchased that morning.

"Hold on a minute, woman. Yeesh." Rylaa was scanning the entrance to the enclave from a goodly distance away with an expensive pair of electrobinoculars. He could see four people outside talking, one wearing the robes of a Jedi. But that was it. "I've got a couple of people down there, I think they are Jedi. One of them, at least, I'm sure of."

"So what do you want to do?" She nudged him again playfully, confident that no-one was around that would disturb them.

"Well, I say let's just head on down and see what happens. I've got a good feeling about this." He turned off the electrobinoculars and capped them.

"So you think we might get a job with this guy? I still say it's a better idea to go into business for ourselves." They both got up and walked over to the speeders. Rylaa poked the snoozing Lorgal with his foot, causing him to leap to his feet, blaster rifle at the ready.

"Stow that, big guy. And no, Lani, I don't think we're going to get a job. I'm pretty sure this guy has decided that being good feels good and won't be going back to crime for awhile." He clambered up onto his swoop and the others followed. Buckling on the leather helmet he said, "Plus, if we do go into business for ourselves, it would be nice to get to know both the Jedi and Kandran. You never know when that knowledge might come in handy. Let's go." He stepped down on the pedal and launched the swoop out of the bushes and down the path towards the group of people he had seen.

They roared through the bushes and slid to a halt before the group. The man wearing the robes gave a start at seeing them come at such high speeds. After all, it was not every day that someone came flying out of the underbrush on a swoop. The group dusted the debris thrown up by the repulsors off of themselves.

"Sorry about that," Rylaa was quick to apologize. He hopped off the swoop and dusted himself off with a wry grin.

"I'm Fal Morasa, is there something I can do for you?" the robed man asked.

"Yeah, I'm looking for a man named Dargus Kandran," Rylaa watched the man's eyes narrow. "Obviously you've heard of him."

"What business do you have with Mr. Kandran?"

"I just want to talk. That's all, just talk." The several youngsters who had been with Fal had quietly excused themselves and had gone running inside the complex.

"How about this, I'll inform Mr. Kandran that you wish to speak with him, and he can make the decision himself. What do you wish to speak to him about?" The man fished for a commlink in the pocket of his robes, eventually producing and older model.

"That's between me, Mr. Kandran, my associate over there," he pointed to Lani, "and the fence post. In other words, let him know that Rylaa Lyssander wishes to speak with him, them make like a leaf and get the hell out of here." He never did have much patience for pompous asses, which was what this guy was turning out to be.

Fal Morasa snorted self-importantly. "Let Mr. Kandran know he has a visitor outside near the eastern entrance," he muttered into the commlink. Lani, who had been focusing on their surroundings with a determination only decades of training could muster, heard him clearly. "The guy says his name is Rylaa something-or-other." A pause, "No, he doesn't look armed. He's got a good looking redhead and a barabel with him. Alright, thanks." Looking up from the commlink he sneered again at the chubby criminal. "Mr. Kandran will be informed that you wish to see him."

"Thanks," Rylaa said simply. When the man made no move to leave, Rylaa eyed him viciously and said, "Hey chum, I could have sworn I said this was an A and B conversation, so C your way out of it." Lorgal snorted a short laugh. He was leaning against his personal swoop, modified heavily to accommodate his size. Lani was too engrossed on their surroundings to have heard the bad joke.

Fal couldn't believe it. "But, what if Mr. Kandran doesn't come?" he asked. "I should be here to inform you."

"He'll come," he said matter-of-factly. "If he's the kind of guy I think he is, he'll be interested in what I have to say." Rylaa shrugged. "If not, oh well, I wasted a couple hours of my life, I've got plenty to spend." The robed man snorted again and stomped off, leaving the trio waiting next to the gently bobbing swoopbikes.

"In your line of work," a voice said, "I wouldn't count on that." The shadows seemed to shift and resolved themselves in the form of a man. The face wasn't one any who had not known him very recently would mark as Dargus Kandran, but the contained power and piercing gaze were his. "I am Dargus Kandran. How may I be of service?"

Lani had felt the man only moments before he emerged. It was strange, it was as if... something had redirected her sense. She resolved to study this man as closely as possible during their talk. Rylaa, having no such feelings, gave a slight start at the man appearing from what appeared to be nowhere. The face was different to be sure, but those eyes. Only a man who had seen absolute power could have eyes like that. They virtually emanated power, telling all others around them to obey. Rylaa should know, he once had eyes like that himself.

"You are absolutely right, most gentlemen in my line of work do not live long," he said, turning to face Dargus. "But then, I am not most gentlemen." Rylaa decided that with a man like Dargus Kandran, charming was not going to work. So he shifted roles to self-assurance. "I am Rylaa Lyssander, you may have heard of me if you were around Coruscant about a decade ago. If not, well, allow me to introduce myself further."

"Be my guest," Dargus said with a gesture to continue, "introduce yourself."

Rylaa smiled. "Very well. As I said, I am Rylaa Lyssander, thief, smuggler, con man, slicer, and any other petty criminal title you wish to pin upon me for I have tried them all. I am also, however, a man who has had a taste of power, and wants more. I once ran a corporation that I believe is still going strong on Coruscant to this day, Rising Thunder. What the company does means nothing, it is a front, a facade for the criminal doings of the top level executives.

"Obviously it was I who began the company, many years ago, and under my careful leadership I was able to nurture it until it grew into an intergalactic power. One that was said could rival the Black Sun in just a few more years!" Rylaa clenched his fist in frustration. It had all been in his grasp, everything he had wanted to obtain right there, laid in front of him like a meal. All that had been left was the main course. "But I was betrayed on the inside. One of my most trusted lieutenants, a bastard of a Bothan named Dirge, managed to convince the other members of my Board, through bribes and threats most likely, that I had to be killed. That my star was burning fast and that I would take the empire down with it!

"I was hunted for years, but always I managed to escape. Sometimes with nothing more than the clothes on my back and a stolen ship. I have flittered from one end of the galaxy to the other, setting up minor organizations here and there. A pirate outpost, a smuggling den, whatever met my fancy at the time. Then I came here, and now I see a way for me to regain what I had." He grinned, now was time for the punch. "I'm an ambitious man, Mr. Kandran, one who will go to great lengths to get what he wants. And I want power again," Rylaa brought his hand up and closed it sharply, "I want to feel the pulse of a new empire under my fingers, awaiting my beck and call. And you, Mr. Kandran, are the man who can aid me in my little quest.

"You are also a man who has tasted power, indeed had much more than a taste. But I believe that it has collapsed around you, has it not? What if I offered you the chance to have that power again? I give you an offer of an equal partnership, everything down the middle. Between the two of us, I am sure that very little could stand in our way." This was not what he had planned to begin with. He had expected another type of man, one who was broken, defeated. Instead he found one still very much in control of himself, one who, he hoped, still wanted what he once had. This was a gamble, one hell of a gamble, but the payoff was worth the risk. Maybe he should take another one.

"Of course, Mr. Kandran, I could be wrong. I may have read your personality in the wrong way and you are now content. If you are happy here with your... Jedi, then please, ignore my proposal. Indeed, turn around and walk away and you shall never be bothered by myself or my associates again. But always remember that you had a chance to regain what you lost, and that you turned that chance down." Extremely risky business. He honestly didn't know whether or not Dargus Kandran wanted his empire back, or he was content to sit back and watch from this little Enclave. He was playing on a hunch.

Lani had always known Rylaa to be a tailspinner, a masterful storyteller who could capture the imagination and play with it at whim. But she had no idea at the power he could project when he wanted to. She smiled inwardly, not wanting to give any outward signs of amusement during his tirade. He truly was a hell of a con man. Then something sparked her senses and she went on the alert. Someone was out there, she was sure, listening. But where exactly, she couldn't say. It was as if they were masking their presence from her, or perhaps redirecting it somehow. She would wait until the two men stopped talking, though, to act. Why startle them when whoever was listening would only get as far as the end of her knife?

"Whether or not I'm enjoying myself here," Dargus said, "is immaterial. I gave my word to someone that I would attempt this, and I'm going to see it through. But, aside from that, I've never been one for partnerships, at least not on a professional level. I'm afraid, for now, I'll have to decline your offer." He smiled, the same wolfish smile that had seen him through so many hardships. "I am curious, however, as to why you believe I'm the one who could help you through this."

"It is a pity. I would have enjoyed working with you." Rylaa clasped his hands behind his back. "As for why I came to you, you are the kind of man I look for when I wish to undertake a big project. You are intelligent, creative, and have an irresistible charismatic personality. But most of all, you are ambitious. These are many qualities that I myself have been told that I possess. That I believe them is, of course, purely narcissistic." He grinned. "I've explained myself to you already. I hunger for power of the kind that I once tasted long ago. And if you really must know the truth, I'd rather have you as an ally than as an enemy."

Dargus nodded slowly. "I wish I could help you," he said. "As I explained, that's a lifestyle that I'm currently not living. It's possible I may return to it somewhere in the future, or something similar. Or, I may strike a balance between this life I now lead and that. I cannot help you with this, though I must warn you that should your activities become too blatant, you and I may be enemies, now that I've allied myself with the Jedi."

"This is true, Mr. Kandran." Rylaa nodded and unclasped his hands. "I do not like my activities to become blatant though." He held out his hand for a shake. "I do hope, Mr. Kandran, that we can speak again some time. Perhaps with a more... unprofessional topic."

"Perhaps so," Dargus said with a smile before turning his attention to Lani. He raised an eyebrow curiously at her, but made no sound. "I wish you the best in your endeavours, Rylaa...and hope that they do not force us to meet under less civil circumstances."

Lani noticed the eyebrow but made no response. Instead she began to edge slowly towards where she thought there might be a listener. Her footsteps made no sound as she slowly put one hand down to the new vibrodagger sheath at her thigh.

"Thank you, and I wish you the best in yours," Rylaa said. He too, though, was eyeing Lani out of the corner of his eye. He also noted that the barabel, Lorgal, was shifting uneasily and fingering his huge repeating blaster rifle. Lani's eyes met his, and whole paragraphs were conveyed in that look. Someone was listening to the conversation.

"You have friends watching you," Dargus asked, his voice pitched so that only Rylaa and Lani could hear. "Or are those...not friends watching you?"

"This is not a friend, I believe," said Rylaa. He carefully watched as Lani slowly slid to a stop next to a small clump of angrove bushes. Several heartbeats passed as she steadied herself, then her hand shot forward with inhuman-like speed and clamped about the throat of the hiding man. Fal Morosa flew out of the bush and landed heavily on his back, a hand like a steel vice holding him to the earth. In a flash, Lani was atop the man, dagger pressed against his throat.

"And I hope that it is not one of yours, either." All three looked carefully at Dargus.

Dargus raised an eyebrow as he looked between Lani and Rylaa. "Do I look like I need someone like this working for me?"

"No, you do not. But then again, you never know." Rylaa looked at the man, who had apparently wet himself. "Many scenarios of what could have happened sail through my head. But I have always believed that often the truth is that which is the simplest. This man is probably only out for his own greed." He nodded to Lani who let Fal Morosa rise to his feet, though she kept one sharp blade to his throat. "This is your territory, Mr. Kandran. I'll let you take care of your own trash."

Dargus nodded to Rylaa. "Very well," he said. Then, the former crimelord turned his gaze upon the man whose life now appeared to be in his hands. "You found your way in here, you can find your way out. Trespass into this part of the forest again, and I'll have you turned over to the New Plouton authorities for your deeds." He shifted his gaze to Lani and her knife, an eyebrow quirked with an unspoken question.

Lani nodded slightly and relaxed her grip on the quivering man enough to let him slip loose. The gaze from Dargus was enough to send him fleeing into the woods as though his life depended on it. Lani, still focusing deeply on her center, sensed the man collapse just past the treeline. It was as if he simply... stopped being there.

Rylaa, oblivious to such things as always, extended a hand. "Good day to you, Mr. Kandran. I wish you the best of luck in whatever you do." Lani quirked a smile. It was rare for Rylaa to want to shake hands with anyone, let alone a fellow criminal, it was a sign of just how much respect he had for Dargus.

Dargus looked at the man's hand for a moment, then finally extended his own to shake it. "Stay out of trouble," Dargus said with a smile. "As much as you can, at any rate. Good luck to you, Rylaa Lyssander."

After they broke the handclasp, Rylaa hurried to his swoop without trying to show that he was in a hurry. He had a plan already. It would take guts, and it would take daring, but if they pulled it off, they would be the richest criminals on Tae'karada. Except for maybe the Hutt. Who knew just how much Hutts had stashed away?

Dargus Kandran's figure vanished quickly as they sped into the underbrush of the forest but Lani knew that he still stood in the spot he was at before, contemplating all that was said. She didn't know how she knew, she just did. It was as though at some cosmic level, she and Dargus were on the same field, doing the same thing. Just trying to get by in a galaxy that didn't want them. She also felt that he was telling the truth in what he said about giving his word to someone. She knew that someone was a woman, and that he had strong feelings for her. Lani's deep concentration almost caused her to run into a log.

Dargus watched them as they vanished into the trees, and marked their progress with hidden senses. He couldn't help his curiousity, but for now there was nothing more he could do about it. He had a feeling though, that this would not be the last time he encountered Rylaa Lyssander and Lani. Or at least I hope not, he thought with a slight smile as he turned back toward the Temple.

"Mobile Meeting"
By: Rylaa Lyssander - Criminal - PC
Lani Vissip - Smuggler - NPC+
Lorgal - Bodyguard - NPC+

Location: On the way back to New Plouton
Date: Vadris 7th, 4ABY

***

They flew over the plains of grass that led to the city of New Plouton. Three swoopbikes speeding along at a breakneck pace. They were still far off though, the tops of the towering buildings of the city could only just be seen over the horizon. Rylaa swung his swoop close to Lani as he contemplated their meeting with Dargus.

"So, what did you think?" he asked her via the comm unit built into the bike. The subvocal microphone placed at the Adam's apple was a bit difficult to get used to, but they came in handy at times like this. They were programmed to filter out higher noise levels.

"He's there because of a woman, and he wants to stay." Her helmeted head turned to regard him. "There is something about him I could not place. A power that swirled around him, it seemed to draw me in. I can't explain it." He heard her sigh over the closed circuit. "I might go back another day, by myself, to find out what that is. And, perhaps, to find out who that man was that was listening in."

"Don't worry about him. Dargus will take care of that particular problem."

"So, Rylaa, what do we do now? Shall we go and speak with the others as planned?"

He barked a short laugh at the ludicrous thought. None of those other petty crimelords could hope to match what he saw in Kandran's eyes. "No," he replied simply. A finger idly tapped some commands into the computer onboard the swoop and several messages were sent out to the hotel. Several moments later, he got his reply. "There is something else that we can do."

"And that is?"

"Follow your suggestion. Go into business for ourselves."

"Ahhh, so now you want to listen to me, is that it?" She chuckled to show that she was only joking with him.

"I was listening to you then as well. I just wanted to meet this man before anything else happened."

"Alright then, what are we going to do?"

"I've already got the plan in action."

"That's a little too vague for me there. What plan? What are we doing and why?"

"We're going to break into a bank."

Several minutes passed by in silence.

"A what?"

"A bank. It's a place where they store hard cred when it's not in use. Every major star system has at least one. Tae'remok just happens to have theirs here. Well... not right here. It's actually up north past Arcadia in the mountains."

"That a horrible idea. If a place like that really existed, it would be guarded to the gills. Not to mention there's no way to launder money like that."

"Not unless you had someone already willing to launder it for you."

She turned to look at him again. "Like who?"

"You remember Jaklet Flannigan?"

"The kid from Tatooine? Yeah I remember him. Good with numbers but a bit slow in everything else. Why?"

"Because Credit got in contact with him and the organization he set up a few years back. It's not the first time I've used him to launder money. I don't know how they do it, and I personally don't want to."

"Ok, so what to do with the money afterwards is taken care of. How about how to get to the money? That place is more than likely locked up tighter than Palpatine's asshole. Especially if it's an old Imperial joint."

"It is."

"Great, so we can at least expect a couple of walkers then."

"Yup."

"You're not very talkative here."

"Shut up, woman. I'm trying to find a way not to get us killed."

Lani shut up. Not because he told her to, he was going to get smacked for that later, but because she recognized the tone of voice he had used. It was the kind he used when he wouldn't brook any arguments. It was a voice of authority. She hadn't heard it in a long time.

It wasn't going to save him from getting slapped when they got back to the hotel room.

"Cargo Run, Part 2"
By: Oyani Tala
Rilanna Kir

Location: Ryloth Storm
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

The Ryloth Storm lifted off from the moon's surface. Rilanna Kir was at the co-pilot's controls, setting a course for the final destination of their cargo run. The vessel pulled into the high atmosphere of Tae'Karada's moon, and Oyani sat, seemingly transfixed, watching Rilanna input flight co-ordinates into the navacomputer.

Oyani's lekku twitched as she watched the young woman work. It was cooler, now, aboard the ship and yet both women were still stripped down to the level in which they had been comfortable during the Storm's brief heatwave.

Rilanna had her dark jacket off, and sat punching controls in a sleeveless shirt.

Oyani was wearing the small outfit she had donned for the heat. It looked more like underwear than anything else, though the material of both the top and bottoms were of heavier material than an average undergarment.

As the cockpit of the ship grew cooler, Oyani began to actually feel a bit chilled, sitting in her pilot's seat next to her lovely companion. But, she didn't let on. She liked the feeling. It was relaxing somehow.

She sat back in the seat, feeling the cooler air touch her body. She closed her eyes, and smiled. Her voice was soft, and low as she addressed Rilanna.

"You take us in," Oyani said. "Your boss gave me the proper security codes on that datapad over there." The Twi'lek made a gesture towards a recess at the top of the control panel where she had put the datapad. "If I'm not being too presumptuous, I wanna see how The Storm handles with someone else at the controls."

She turned her green eyes on Rilanna and her expression was warm and friendly.

Rilanna grinned at Oyani as she slipped back to grab the datapad and returned to the copilot's seat. The feeling as her companion released control of the ship to her was liberating. There were few feelings Rilanna could think of that felt as powerful and free as being at the controls of a starship. She couldn't help feeling slightly nervous at the scrutiny she was receiving, but on the other hand she couldn't deny that she kind of enjoyed it.

She pushed the Storm through a roll that lined them up for their approach into the Lunar Base.

"She flies beautifully," Ril said, sparing a glance to the side where Oyani sat. "I'm very impressed."

"Thank you," Tala replied. "I take that as a high compliment. You handle her well too. You must have a very gentle touch, because you get the controls responding very smoothly."

Rilanna flashed Oyani a grin. "Thank you," she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "If you want her back so we can land..."

"You go ahead and take us in," Oyani said. She turned her chair to where she could lean in closer to Rilanna. "Let me ask you something.... um... whadda you think we're carrying? The cargo? Got any idea what's in there?"

The Twi'lek's green eyes shown with anticipation as she awaited Rilanna's answer.

"Well, it's for Dresh, from Shrezade, so it could be just about anything, and roughly half of those anythings I probably don't want to know about." She glanced back toward the hold and back to Oyani. Her smile had turned into a rather wicked grin. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"I'm thinking maybe we ought to inspect our shipment," Oyani said, with a devious grin. "I mean, you wouldn't want to deliver damaged goods in the name of your employer. And we did have a kind of rough time of it in the atmosphere.... whadda you say? Wanna take a look?"

Rilanna thought about it for a moment, then smiled at Oyani. "We did get shot at for it after all, and if we're going to ever get in trouble for this, we might as well know what it was we're getting in trouble over."

"I'll admit my curiosity has been piqued since we started this trip," Oyani said. "C'mon... we wont hurt anything. I mean, protecting the shipment is your job. If I break something you can shoot me." Here the Twi'lek winked, and her right lekku twitched in unison with her facial gesture. "But, you've gotta admit.... it is tempting, isn't it."

Both of the Twi'lek's lekku rose a bit, showing her excitement. And that is what this trip had been about, it seemed. Temptations....

"Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to take a peek," she said, glancing back in the direction of the hold. "Come on, let's go see what Shrezade Anoran's sending to her secret lover on the moon."

Oyani hit a control on her console, and the Storm went into autopilot mode. "That'll buy is some cargo inspection time," she said to Rilanna. And then she led the way out of the cockpit, and into the cargo hold. Rilanna followed, and Oyani couldn't resist a chance to look at her at least once.

She was thoroughly enjoying the young woman's company. And, had Ril known much about Twi'lek lekku-language, she would have been able to pick up what was on Oyani's mind by the swaying and twitching of the head tails.

In the cargo hold, Oyani stopped, hesitating; she gave a backwards glance to Ril, before pulling her seemingly all-purpose tool from her belt. She knelt down, and worked the tool at each corner of the lid on one of the crates. And she soon had the seal broken, using an odd little short spanner that seemed to work the pressure seal against itself, forcing the lid up just enough to break the seal.

Oyani pushed the lid off, and let it fall with a sort of thick thud.

And then she reached into the crate. "Well, whadda you know!?" she exclaimed as she pulled out a bottle of some kind of dark, most likely very strong liquor.

"Is that what I think it is," Rilanna asked as she tried to get a good look at the bottle in Oyani's hand. "Oh, that looks like a very good year too. How many are there? Oh my...Reza, my dear, you've outdone yourself. This lot will definitely keep Dresh warm for quite some time." She looked up at her new friend with a wide, mischievous grin on her face. "I think we still have a little bit of time before we have to touch down. You thirsty?"

"Never thirstier," Oyani said. "Why don't we see if this little tool of mine has a... well... it certainly does..." She held up her funny little makeshift device, and protruding from one of the hollow handles was something shaped vaguely like a corkscrew. "I wont tell if you don't!" the Twi'lek said.

Rilanna grinned. "What she doesn't know..."

She took the bottle from Ril's hand, and forced the spiraled piece of metal into the cork that formed the seal. A few twists, and then she yanked it out with a loud pop. Her red face smiled. And she took a drink, right out of the bottle. It was good. A heady, strong beverage kept chilled by the environmental controls built in to the crates Reza was having them shipped in.

A grin curled on Rilanna's face as she watched Oyani. "Well?"

Oyani handed her newfound friend, and co-conspirator in stolen liquor the bottle. "Drink to your heart's content, my dear," she said.

Ril accepted the bottle and brought it to her lips. She tipped her head back and the dark liquid inside the bottle poured down her throat. It was good...very good in fact. When Ril finally pulled the bottle from her lips, she grinned at Oyani. "Oh, that is very good," she purred. "I'm feeling a little lightheaded already. We just have to make sure we don't drink all of it." She held the bottle out again to her friend. "More?"

Oyani took the bottle, smiling girlishly. "I doubt one bottle would make much difference," she said. "We could always claim the supplier shipped short." The Twi'lek took a longer drink than perhaps she should have, and she felt her vision blur for a moment. Shaking her head, she cleared it; the sound of her lekku slapping against the bulkhead seemed a bit louder than it should have.

"Oops," Rilanna said with a grin. "Those silly suppliers." She accepted the bottle and downed another large swallow of it, passing it back to Oyani once she finished.

"This is strong stuff," Oyani commented. "But very good." She passed the bottle back to Rilanna. "Hmmmm... I wish I had music. I love to dance when I'm drunk... well... tipsy, anyway. Hmmm... you don't sing do you?" She gave the young woman a flirtatious look. Oyani didn't need alcohol to think Rilanna was lovely. But, it helped to have the naturally uninhibiting properties of wine to help her to feel free to bring those particular feelings to the forefront.

"I've never really tried," Rilanna said, the bottle hovering near her mouth. "I don't know if I have a nice voice or not. After this, I don't know if I could..." She grinned and tipped the bottle back.

Oyani watched Rilanna drink. She blinked her green eyes, swallowed hard, and mumbled something about wishing the coolant units were on the blink again. Then she shook her head, her lekku dancing joyously behind her back. "Well.... do you think..." She groped for the bottle Rilanna was holding, as she tried to get back onto her feet. "Do you think you can fly after we finish this one little bottle of... what is this stuff?"

Rilanna grinned, and released the bottle to Oyani. "Something very good," she said then held out her hands. "See, steady as a rock. I can fly us, see?" She giggled and reached out, groping for Oyani. "Actually, I think we're flying now." Her eyes found Oyani's and she gasped softly. "You...you're a very beautiful woman, Oyani. And, we'd better get moving before I have inappropriate ideas..."

Oyani moved so that she stood in front of Rilanna. There was a slight smile on her face, and one lekku curled over her shoulder, to make its snakelike way onto Ril's. "You're very beautiful too. I've thought so since I first saw you. And, you know what they say - 'in wine there is truth'. So... let's confess some truth - what about these inappropriate ideas of yours?"

"Oh," Rilanna said, her voice a gentle purr, "they're very inappropriate." She brought a hand up and brushed her fingers over Oyani's lekku. "Extremely inappropriate."

Oyani licked her lips. The lekku that had wandered over Ril's shoulder tickled her back. The other lekku was waving in a type of rhythm behind Oyani's back. "Well... I've already sampled Shrezade Anoran's wine... perhaps I should sample her Chief of Security as well."

Rilanna felt herself leaning closer to Oyani, her eyes gazing deeply into her friend's. "It sounds like have some rather inappropriate thoughts of your own."

Oyani leaned in closer, her lips brushing Rilanna's "Stop me... if you want to," the Twi'lek said, in the same breath with which she kissed the other woman.

Oyani wasted no time in finding the proper clasps and snaps to loosen, and finally remove Rilanna's top, as they kissed. And then Ril could feel the soft, smooth flesh of Oyani's lekku rubbing against her bare back. The Twi'lek kissed her passionately, before breaking the kiss and smiling a girlish and yet mischievous grin.

"Ever seen a naked Twi'lek before?" she asked. "We're just like humans... just more... colorful." She giggled a little as she dropped her own top, allowing her full breasts to fall free of their fabric restraints. "Come here, Rilanna-dear... kiss me again," Oyani purred seductively. She kept Ril's dark eyes locked in her own, as the other woman moved closer to her.

"Gladly," Rilanna whispered and fell into Oyani's arms. The kiss seemed to be even more passionate than before. As they kissed, Rilanna brought her hands between them both to touch and caress. She didn't know what Shrezade would think of this, though a part of her thought that she might be amused. What they shared was a friendship, one that was very deep and passionate, that allowed them to be intimate with one another. They had never defined it further than that, and each had a lover on the side. She hoped Reza wouldn't mind her taking yet another, but Oyani Tala was irresistible, with or without clothes or alcohol. She lowered her lips to Oyani's breasts, suckling them while listening to the sounds of the Twi'lek's moans and heavy breathing. "I think we need to drink together more often," she purred.

Oyani had no other lover. At least no one that made her feel special, or fulfilled her emotionally. She had sexual partners. Usually strangers picked up in the bars on Drogen. But, she felt a sudden closeness with Rilanna. Something that made her want to hold the young woman and kiss her, from the heart as well as from her more basic desires of the flesh. She leaned her head back, her lekku trembling with excitement, as Rilanna licked and teased her. She felt her hands wander to the waistband of her shorts, almost as if she were not controlling them. Oyani slid the shorts down, revealing her nakedness to Rilanna.

Embracing the younger woman tightly, she moved down to the floor, laying with Rilanna on top of her; running her red fingers through Ril's dark hair; Oyani kissed her on the forehead, and as Rilanna looked up at her, their lips met again. "This is fun," Oyani said, as her tongue dived into Rilanna's mouth, and began to explore.

"All this drinking...." Oyani rolled her body so that she was atop Rilanna. She began kissing her, from the chin down onto her neck, and finally onto her breasts, "is making me... hungry."

Her scarlet lekku waved and swirled around in the air behind her, one or the other of them coming down to gently stroke Rilanna's arms, or her face as Oyani teased Rilanna's nipples, kissing them gently. The Twi'lek was careful not to squeeze too hard as she rubbed Rilanna's breasts. If human flesh was as tender and sensitive as a Twi'lek's then she had to go easily as not to hurt her partner.

As the Twi'lek ran her fingers over Rilanna's breasts, squeezing and gently scratching her with her nails, allowing the nails to run down onto the young woman's stomach, Oyani moved her mouth along the narrow line in the center of Rilanna's stomach made by the firmness of her muscles.

Oyani's mouth found the waist of Rilanna's pants only a few seconds before her eager fingers did. "Hmmmm... may I?" she asked, her voice sounding as innocent as a young girl's. Long Twi'lek fingers fiddled with the clasp of Rilanna's pants.

"Oh please," Rilanna said with a smile. As Oyani pushed the leather fabric of her pants down over her hips, Ril did her best to help by kicking off her boots. "I want to find out," she managed between panting gasps of breath, "if this is as fun when we're both sober too. If you're up for it, of course." She gave the Twi'lek a coy look that said so much more.

"I think I'd be up for anything, as long as your pretty face was around somewhere," Oyani said, leaning over quickly, to kiss Rilanna on the lips, before returning to her work of undressing her.

When Rilanna lay, naked, on the floor of Oyani's cargo bay, the Twi'lek made things more even - she removed the rest of her clothing, and lay her crimson body atop Rilanna. She closed her eyes, and bit her lips slightly, at the pleasure of feeling the young woman's flesh against hers. And then she slid down Rilanna's body again; kissing, and licking as she went - lekku doing a gentle dance of happiness across her back, onto the floor, and up and down Rilanna's sides.

When Oyani reached her destination, she gently lifted Rilanna's legs so that her feet were planted firmly on the floor of the cargo bay. The Twi'lek pushed the other's legs apart, and stroked the outside of Rilanna's thighs with her long, darkly polished nails. With an almost wicked grin, Oyani said:

"We're about to make the jump into hyperspace, my dear." And she kissed her way down the inside of Rilanna's left leg; on her way to giving the young woman a very pleasurable afternoon.

In the cockpit of the Ryloth Storm, an astromech droid squeezed himself between the pilot's and co-pilot's seats. He had been in this situation before. He had plugged himself into the ship's com-system. Not to eavesdrop, but to keep an eye on his mistress' situation. He could hear the moans and gasps coming from the cargo bay, and mused in his little mechanical mind that it might not have been necessary to have the com on to hear them.

Accessing the ship's piloting sequences, the droid took over for the autopilot, steering the Ryloth Storm in and out of the clouds, trying to keep the vessel hidden as best he could whilst his mistress was at play.

The little droid was in for a long shift at the controls.....

"Shattered Illusions, Part 1"
By: Keeve Shivral
Talara Sorenne

Location: Arcadian Temple
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

She slipped into the room silently and crept over to the bed. She could see him lying upon it, sleeping fitfully. After what Nieme had been doing to him, how could it be anything but? She stood at the edge of the bed, watching for just a few moments, before discarding her flimsy robe behind her and sliding into the bed with him. His body was still warm, the hard muscles delightful bliss under her touch. She'd watched him, desired him, but knew he couldn't desire her, wouldn't desire her. It hurt much but what could she do? She couldn't force him, but perhaps in time, she could allow him to see that she wasn't as bad as he thought.

"Keeve," she whispered, and brushed her lips against his. "It's safe here; you're safe here. It's okay for now."

He flinched at her touch, and gasped Maeren's name. His heavy-lidded eyes forced themselves open, and through the haze it was truly Shiv's face he discerned. He'd seen her before, as well - in the small, luxurious room Nieme had imprisoned him in. Shackled by a pair of binders suspended from the ceiling by a chain, she'd tormented him for hours - toying with him mentally and physically, while he was incapable of fending her off. She'd burrowed into his mind, although initially encountering resistance that seemed to irritate more than it impressed her. With his mental shields penetrated she manipulated his thoughts and distorted reality, all with a wicked grin on her face, one that transformed to Kallia's, then Shiv's, and even Kimara's - all the women he had ever known and desired. Lerrah was there, smiling sweetly at him as he remembered her.

But no matter how artful Nieme had thought herself, even she could not keep her taint from seeping into the false images created. Were Zari's eyes always brown and her smile that lustful? And why was Maeren's hair so dark now? Despite the flawed semblances swimming before his tired eyes, Keeve had clung to the comforting illusions and gave them life. When Maeren's lips had touched his, Keeve greeted her kiss hungrily. As Kallia knelt before him and engulfed his erection in her mouth, he'd cried out ecstatically. And through it all, Nieme's voice whispered in his head, cackled with laughter as he called out Maeren's name in the heights of pleasure. Even now Nieme was there, torturing him as he tried for sleep, laughing at his foolishness and weakness, and all without surcease. Not for a moment could he find peace, but Maeren's smile alleviated the anguish, if only a little.

"You're back," he whispered, the muscles of his face tight with the pain of his struggle.

"I'd never leave you," came the reply so like Maeren's, yet so unlike. The warm body pressed against his side and kissed gently at his throat. "I've missed you so much, Keeve. I want to help you."

Weakened by Nieme's endless torment, Keeve barely had the strength to raise his hand to Maeren's cheek. It was fuller than hers, he noticed, but his ravaged mind clung to the image he saw, and rejected what his other senses were perceiving. "I have to...leave here," he murmured groggily. "Maeren...we have to leave together."

"We can't leave yet," she whispered back to him. "But there's a plan. Oot and Ferrig, they're trying to get out, to break free. If you help them, they can take you with them." She brushed her lips against his. "Take us with them."

"Oot?" he slurred. His fingers pushed through her hair, but the texture was all wrong. Though, his mind quickly corrected for that, and once again the illusion held firm. "We can take them with us," he sighed, nuzzling his lips to her throat. "What do-- What should I do?"

A gasp of pleasure escaped her lips. "I'll take you to them, Keeve. I'll take care of you here. I don't know how much I can do, but I'll do whatever I can to protect you. I'll take you to Oot and Ferrig. They'd get us out."

"That doesn't matter," he murmured. He pushed his knee between her thighs as Keeve slid atop her. His hands roamed over her breasts, ones so similar to Shiv's it was easy enough to believe they were hers he was cradling. "If we have to stay here, it won't matter as long as we're together." And his lips covered hers.

She couldn't help closing her eyes, almost believing the truth of his words. "As long as we're together," she breathed. "We'll be safe together, Keeve. We'll survive together."

Her words brought him peace, and although the contours of her body, the scent of her skin, everything that was incongruent with what he knew of Shiv should have stopped him, Nieme's voice taunted him and drove him to seek comfort in Talara's embrace. With desperation, Keeve clung to the girl he saw as Shiv and entered her. He would seek liberation from Nieme's torment in the love Maeren could offer. "Just you and I," he breathed into Talara's ear as he pushed against her.

She gasped and cried out softly as he entered her, the thing she'd been dreaming of, desiring since she'd first laid eyes upon him. That he hated her didn't matter because of the sweet, beautiful words he was speaking to her. The words were meant for another, but she felt the power behind them. "I love you," she whispered. "Just you and I."

Finding solace in her assurances and in her unfamiliar, yet desired touch, Keeve swayed against her with an infusion of passion and need. It was Shiv's name he whispered against her cheek, her lips he kissed, and yet the act lacked fulfillment. He drove into her with greater fervour as he sought that perfect moment of ecstasy he only ever found with Shiv.

She could sense that something wasn't quite right. She redoubled her efforts to give him something he would like, would...would want. She couldn't say the words again, even though they felt true. "It's wonderful, Keeve. You're wonderful. Love me, Keeve. Just...just love me."

"I-I do," he assured her, though his tone seemed uncertain and his brow was creased as if his subconscious was fighting to expose the truth. He gripped her arms tightly as his actions became rough and persistent. "Maeren," he grunted. "Just stay with me."

"I'll stay with you," she whispered. "I'll never leave, Keeve. I won't let them hurt you."

"Then get her voice...out of my head," he pleaded, burying his face into the curve of her neck. "She's there...laughing at me, tormenting me." Keeve sobbed into her shoulder even as he continued to thrust into Talara. "Please," he rasped. "Please help me, Maeren."

"I will," she whispered, "I'll try." She kissed him and began with the top to do everything she could to make Keeve forget about Nieme's voice, to wipe it from his mind and purge him of her influence.

Nieme's voice was slowly silenced by Talara's soothing words, spoken in Shiv's silky tones. His body ceased trembling as her hold on him began unravelling, but as it did, Nieme's spell, too, lost its power over him. Maeren's hair darkened when the fog clouding his mind began lifting, and her creamy, pale flesh lost its bright complexion. All the doubts nagging at him amplified, and when he pulled back, it was no longer Maeren's sweetly smiling lips he was kissing. He stopped abruptly, and gazed down at Talara with revulsion. "What the--?" His face twisted in rage as Keeve recoiled, rolling away from Talara and shoving her from the bed with a growl. "You whore! What were you trying to do!"

Talara's eyes filled with tears and she struggled to her feet. "I was trying to help you," she said. "I'm trying to help you, Keeve. Can't you see? Can't you? Please? I can get you to Oot. I can...I can help you."

"By fooling me into thinking you're someone I would actually want to be with?" He laughed harshly. "You sick, desperate bitch."

"Your eyes are open now, aren't they," Talara said softly. "You can see who I am, and you can think for yourself, can't you?"

Keeve smirked. "Disappointed?" He stepped off the bed and approached Talara menacingly. "Are you going to mess around with my mind, too? That's the only way I'd ever be with you." Towering over her now, Keeve grasped her arms and jerked her towards him. He grinned viciously into her upturned face. "When I'm free," he whispered, "you're one of the first to die."

"Fine then," Talara said with a sad smile. "You're stuck here. Alone. No allies. No one to help you. Just you against Nieme and Dani. Good luck, Keeve, because you'll need it."

He chuckled wryly. "Don't try that ploy with me, little girl. I don't need you to get out of here. And I don't need you trying to seduce me. What do I need with a child?" And he shoved her away before stalking back to the bed. He reclined on it comfortably with both hands laced behind his head, and a wide smirk on his face. "Go on," he urged her. "Pick up your robe and leave. The sight of you is leaving a bad taste in my mouth."

She pulled the robe to her and put it on. Once it was tied securely, she took a tentative step toward him. "Please, Keeve, let me help you. I won't try to seduce you anymore. But, I still want to help you. I'm...I'm sorry for what I did, for what I've done."

"You want to help?" he echoed, his smile twisting cruelly. "Then get Oot in here, with me, where I can keep her safe. If you do that" --he stretched out his legs and crossed them at the ankle-- "I'll consider your offer."

"I can try to get her here," Tala said, "but it'd be better if I take you to her. But I'll need to bring you back here at the end of the night. Everything has to appear normal, or they'll catch us."

"Well, then," he told her smugly, "you'll have to make sure they don't, now won't you?"

"Why can't you just work with me," Tala snapped. "You're not in control here, and you have no idea what they can do to you, what they have been doing to you. Why don't you snap out of your delusions and look around. You're in deep poodoo, and unless you start working with me, you're going to drown."

"And what if you're manipulating me?" Keeve countered. "You're here with them, aren't you? If you're against them, then why the hells are you doing their bidding!"

"You don't know what it's like," Talara said, near ready to sob. "You don't understand. You couldn't understand. And, I doubt you'd even try. Please, just...just trust me, alright? I'm trying to help you, trying to get you out. Sometimes...I...I can't help myself, like with you. But I'm still trying to help you."

Keeve sighed as he sat up. "Look...you can't blame me for not trusting you outright. Prove yourself to me, and I'll help you in return."

"How can I prove myself without getting us both caught?" she asked. "I'll do it, but...I just...I hope you understand..."

"All I understand is that I'm a captive while my wife is probably worrying sick over me," he rasped. "I took you into my home, protected you from those bitches... You owe me, so consider this payment."

"I'll try to get a message to her, if I can," Talara said. "I...I just don't want you to hate me. I'm...I'm not a bad person. I...I want to be a Jedi."

Keeve shook his head. "Then what the hells are you doing here?"

"I don't know anymore," Talara said softly. "But, from now on, I'm trying to get out."

"Then I'm helping you," Keeve promised with less rancor.

Talara held out a hand to him. "Thank you," she said.

He studied it warily, wondering if she was capable of influencing him through the Force with a single touch. But the expectation in her sorrowful eyes swayed him, and Keeve accepted her offered hand. "We'll get through this. And if you need to, you can stay here tonight, just to get away from them."

"Thank you," she whispered. "I promise I won't try anything, Keeve. Not anymore. But...but you are very impressive." She gave him a shy smile that she didn't think she could have given just a little bit ago. In his seeming forgiveness, it seemed some of her innocence may have been reclaimed. "Thank you." And, with that, she gave him a hug.

He returned it only half-heartedly, and cut it short when he gently pushed her back. "Now, about Oot...?"

"I can take you to her," Tala said. "She's three floors above here. We'll need to find a way to disguise you, but I can take you there. We can go now if you'd like. Though we'll have to go quickly. We can meet with her, then come back here. I can get you there again tomorrow night too. Longer, because we'll have more time."

"I'll need clothes," Keeve pointed out. "I think I'd fit into that black armour, if you can get me some."

"Of course," Tala said. "I'll get them for you. Not sure how long it'll take to get the armour, but I'll get it for you." She smiled up at him. "Clothes will be really easy though."

He spread his hands and shrugged. "Whatever you can manage. Just make it good."

"I'll go get you the clothes," Tala said. "After, though, you'll have to make sure you hide them really well. If they find them, we're both in trouble." She flung her arms around him and hugged him briefly before stepping back, a look of adoration in her eyes as she gazed up at him. "I'll be right back." With that, she scampered out of the room and off into the darkness.

Sighing, Keeve shook his head slowly at the odd girl. With as quickly as she'd broken her allegiance with Nieme and Dani, he questioned how trustworthy she truly was. But at least for now he had her performing his bidding, even if she did require some tactile encouragement to do so.

She was gone for about ten minutes before she slipped back into the room carrying a bundle of clothing. She grinned at Keeve where he was sitting on the edge of the bed, in an almost-meditative pose. She grinned and held out the bundle to him. "Got them," she whispered.

He studied the drab outfit of pants and a button-down shirt and quirked an eyebrow at her. "Not very flattering," Keeve quipped. He sighed and stood up. "But, it'll do." Retrieving the pants from her, he proceeded to slip them on. "There aren't any tracking devices embedded in it, are there?" he teased.

She shook her head. "Nieme and Dani have had too much else to do, I think. And, so far the soldiers are all loyal because Oot told them to be." She smiled up at him as she held out a pair of boots. "I got these too."

He smiled crookedly and snatched them up. "Thanks. You're this close to redeeming yourself."

Talara beamed at him. "Thank you," she said with a very large grin. "Once you're ready, we can sneak up to see Oot. She's with Ferrig up in her room." She half frowned, but it quickly turned to a bemused look. "I think they like each other for real."

Keeve snorted as he slipped on the shirt and began clasping the buttons. "Not Oot. She's very good at being submissive when she needs to be, but once this is over, he'll be nothing to her."

Tala frowned. "That doesn't sound very nice of her," she said.

"And she's being treated like a queen?" he riposted snarkily. "Don't be so naive, kid."

"Sorry," Talara said. "I didn't know. Ferrig's my boyfriend, but...but it's difficult because of Nieme and Dani. I know you don't like me, but...but I liked it with you. When you...you thought I was her...it felt very nice. We, me and Ferrig, we haven't had...had times like that." She looked up at him. "Maeren's really lucky to have someone who loves her so much."

"This Ferrig guy's your boyfriend?" Keeve asked. As he tucked the tails of his shirt into his pants, he said, "If this guy doesn't love you, then why's he your boyfriend?"

"He loves me," Talara said. "But, he's...he's just really confused right now. Because of Nieme and Dani. And...and they captured his sister, and...and I think she's with that Hutt still. So, he's worried." She sighed and shook her head. "I'm sorry, I'm not making any sense, I know. But, everything here is so confused."

"Blame yourself for that," Keeve told her. "You chose to come here with those freaks." He softened the admonishment with a smile. "I hope you've learned your lesson."

Talara nodded. "I was so stupid. Master Andro, he'd be so disappointed in me. I know Master Laedra is." She looked away so he couldn't see the tears in her eyes, the way her insides were twisted with anguish knowing how disappointed and upset Laedra would be with her. Before she realized it, the tears were falling and she couldn't stop them, she couldn't stop herself. She'd failed...but maybe there was still a chance to redeem herself. Maybe she wasn't completely lost yet.

"That won't do any good," Keeve said softly. He wrapped an arm around her heaving shoulders and pulled her into an embrace. "Crying will only waste time...and your eyes will get all poofy, as Maeren would say."

She nodded wordlessly as he held her. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I was just...just realizing how...I hope I see her soon, so I can...can prove that I'm not worthless." She looked up at him and forced a smile. "You're a good man. I'm glad I know you."

He smirked. "I'm good when I want to be. Other times, I'm just a gullible fool." He smoothed his thumbs over her cheeks to dry the tears, then stepped back. "You ready?"

She nodded. "I am," she said. "Come on. There's a back way we can take that won't take us past anywhere important."

"You saying I'm not important?" he teased, then smiled to give her courage and followed her away.

"Shattered Illusions, Part 2"
By: Keeve Shivral
Talara Sorenne
Ferrig Mullerin
Oot Kovan

Location: Arcadian Temple
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

They reached the door without incident. Talara looked up and down the hallway before pushing the door silently open. She grinned up at Keeve, then motioned him inside. On the bed in the center of the room, Ferrig Mullerin lay with his back to the door. In his arms, her red skin a stark contrast against his desert bronze, lay Oot Kovan. Both stirred at the opening of the door, and Tala raised a finger to her lips. Oot nodded slowly and waited for the door to close. Tala tiptoed inside on bare feet, waving Keeve in behind her.

He stepped lightly so that the bottoms of his boots wouldn't make a sound against the marble floor. Once inside, he closed the door behind him and gave the twi'lek a lopsided grin. "Comfortable?"

Oot flashed a grin back to him, and slipped out of Ferrig's embrace. The young man glanced up, not worried since the stranger came with Tala's presence. He propped himself up on an elbow and watched Keeve. Oot slipped out of the bed and pulled on a robe, her lekku trailing down her back as she regarded him. "I've missed you, Keeve," she said. "I heard they'd captured you. I take it you're here to join up with our little resistance? Plans aren't quite firm yet, but we're not content staying here. My only real concern now are the clones. They may be clones, but they don't deserve this any more than we do."

"Resistance?" He looked between Oot and the lounging Ferrig uncertainly. "You two have been planning something?"

"Well, planning," Oot said, "when the stud here will let us plan."

"Oh," Ferrig said with a lazy grin, "don't blame that all on me. You're just as guilty as I am."

Oot laughed and turned to Keeve. "We are planning something, but it's not easy, not with Nieme and Dani around. The trick is finding a way out of here when they're not watching. The trickiest part is making sure we have the time to get away when they won't notice us, and keep their attention away long enough to get us far enough away that they won't find us easily."

Keeve groaned. "This is too complicated. And besides, I'm supposed to be here rescuing you, not the other way around."

Oot laughed softly. "Well, we hadn't made it very far yet. Anything you can do to help, I'm sure we'd all welcome it."

Talara smiled. "I know I would."

Oot smiled at her. "I see you've come around." Tala's only answer was to blush.

Rolling his eyes, Keeve moved past the two doting women for Ferrig and Oot's bed. "So, when do we do this?" he asked, plunking himself down upon the mattress.

"The sooner the better," Ferrig said. "The longer we're in here, the more chances our plans have to be spoiled. It should be as soon as we can get ourselves out of here. Do you have a plan? And, do you think tomorrow is soon enough?"

"No plan," Keeve told him. "Since you and Talara have free access to the palace, you'd be better able to get us what we need - armour, weapons, access codes..."

Talara nodded. "And, I have my lightsaber too. I think we can get armour and weapons. Access codes might be a little difficult, but...but I'll see what I can do. The soldiers can't be persuaded easily, but some of the others still working here can."

"It won't be easy to do this, especially with how paranoid they are," Ferrig said. "But if we're careful, and we don't move too quickly...I think we can do it."

"Maybe if you ask the bitches to give you and Talara some time together," Keeve suggested. He winked surreptitiously at the girl, knowing she would enjoy a moment alone with her boyfriend. "This way it won't seem suspicious if the two of you are seen together."

Talara nodded and looked over to Ferrig. He gave her a smile and she giggled.

"I think that's their acceptance," Oot said. "I think all I can really do is stay here. You're probably in the same spot, at least when Talara can't get you out."

"Then we'll have to deal with our impotence and use that time to plan," he told Oot. "You want your throne back, don't you?"

"Yes, I do," Oot said. "And, I want those two Huttslime taken down."

Keeve grinned at her. "That's more like it."

Talara let out a bust of laughter and did a little dance in a circle. "I think I just figured out how to get you some amour, Keeve. It'll mean I have to be kind of naughty with one of the soldiers, but not for very long."

"Like you'd mind that," he muttered. "So, when can you do it?"

"In the morning," she said with a smile. "I just need to get him out of his armour, and then find something I don't like about him. I send him scampering off like the bad little soldier he is, and I have a set of free amour, all for you."

"And what about Oot?" Keeve asked.

"We'll have to find her other clothes," Talara said.

"I can take care of that," Ferrig said. "I don't think it will look too suspicious."

Keeve snorted. "And why not? You often prance around in women's clothing?"

"I have no intention of wearing it," Ferrig said with a glare. "However, I might be able to get some clothes to her, as someone close to Nieme and Dani."

"Then do it," Keeve ordered, seeming to appoint himself leader of the small gang of rebels. "And weapons?"

"I'll get them," Talara said. "I think it would be less suspicious for me to have them than Ferrig. I think I can get a couple blasters and...and maybe some knives."

"I can work with anything," Keeve boasted with a grin.

"I'll get you the best of whatever I can find," Tala said with a grin in return. "And, we should probably get back."

Smirking at her knowingly, Keeve rose from the bed. "Yeah, I think I can imagine your hurry," he quipped.

Tala giggled and looked away. "Have you looked in a mirror lately," she said softly. "And...I just don't want them to catch us."

He nodded his head skeptically and turned away towards Oot. Approaching her with a swaggering gait and his trademark crooked smile, Keeve asked, "You gonna be alright with this kid?" He jerked a thumb towards Ferrig.

Oot glanced over at Ferrig and smiled. "Oh yes," she said. "Perfectly fine. You going to be alright with that one?"

Keeve shrugged. "She's feisty and persistent, but my will's not easily bent." He stopped before Oot and his smile softened, a reminder of their shared past. "You know you're safe with me around, don't you?"

She smiled a smile that was only meant for him. "I know I am," she said. "I always feel safe when you're around, Keeve."

"It's because I'm big and manly, isn't it?" he joked, then shot her a reassuring wink. "How could I forget how much you've helped me out in the past? It's the least I could do for you in return."

"If you can get us out of here," she said, "I think I'll owe you one. It'd be nice if you could stay here, but I know you can't."

" 'Course not," he told her, running a finger down one of her lekku. "I have to mastermind a prison break." Keeve grinned. "Maybe later."

She grinned at him. "You have no idea how much I'd like that. I'll see you soon, Keeve."

He gave her a lazy salute and stepped past her towards the door. Noting Talara's absence, Keeve turned back to find her snuggling up to Ferrig. He sighed. "Are we done?"

Talara gave Ferrig a quick kiss, then grinned up at Keeve. "We're done," she said and hopped up from the bed. As she did so, her robe was pulled wide open as Ferrig's hand was quickly whipped out of its folds. Tala quickly pulled the front closed and gave a very embarrassed, blushing smile to Keeve. "Sorry," she whispered.

Keeve emitted a trying sigh and turned his back on the entire scene. "The Arcadian House of Lust and Depravity," he muttered and stepped through the door with Talara.

"He just put his hand there," Tala said as they ventured down the hall. She quickly lowered her voice. "I didn't ask him to. It felt good, but still. He hasn't seen me for awhile, so...I don't know. Let's just...just go get some sleep, alright?"

"If you say so," Keeve answered, holding back a smile.

"What? What's so funny? This isn't easy for me, you know."

He finally snickered. "Why are you apologizing to me? He's your boyfriend. You're allowed to steal kisses."

"But...well...it just didn't feel right...in front of you. You know? I mean...I like you and...and I guess I wanted those to be your hands."

He frowned at her disapprovingly. "Talara, he's your boyfriend. I'm just a crush. I thought you said you loved the guy?"

She sighed. "I do," she said. "Very much. But...but I do like you too. And...I guess he's in there with Oot a lot, and he really likes her. Don't worry, I'll be good tonight."

"Of course you will be," he told her. "Because I'm sleeping on the floor."

"Oh, Keeve, you can't. What if they come in? We have to sleep in the bed, and...and I promise, I'll just...I'll sleep close. I won't even touch anything I'm not supposed to."

He laughed. "And what about everything else?"

"Not funny," Talara said and swatted him in the stomach. "I won't touch, Keeve. I promise. I'll just sleep. And, you can sleep, and if anyone looks in, they'll just see us sleeping together."

"With you trying to sneak a feel." He chuckled and playfully tousled her hair. "Okay...but just this once, got it?"

Talara giggled and hugged him. "You can sneak a feel too, if you want," she said with a playful grin. "But, just this once."

"Yeah, thanks, kid." Keeve shuffled along with Talara dangling from his arms. She reminded him of Zari in that moment, and although he missed the young girl, knowing she was safe was consolation enough. "We're gonna do this," he whispered to himself. "And those bitches are going to pay."

They managed to return to Keeve's room without incident. Once inside, Talara quickly checked to make sure they were safe, then slipped out of her robe and into the bed. She looked up at him, and felt her heart start pounding heavily in her chest. She couldn't help it, he was just too attractive. "I promise I'll be good," she said.

"The more you say that, the less I believe it," he quipped, then kicked off his boots. He shed his pants and shirt with little inhibition, then joined Talara beneath the sheets. As Talara timidly snuggled up to him, Keeve wrapped his arms around her shoulders and mused, "What will Nieme do when she finds out her mental tampering has been reversed?"

"I'm not sure," Talara whispered. "She might just think you're really strong, because...well, you are. You might be able to fool her if you go along. I might be able to help you after I take care of the other stuff." As she lay there in his arms, she couldn't help the feelings it caused. It felt so...wonderful. She relaxed back against him, closing her eyes and sighing with contentment. Maeren was the luckiest girl ever, to spend every night in his strong embrace. At least, I'll be safe tonight, she thought.

"Fragile Allegiance"
By Theen Fida, New Republic Ambassador (NPC+)
Major Jaro, New Republic Intelligence (NPC)
Kal'Aran, Master Jedi (PC)
Laedra Vorrel, Master Jedi (PC)
Koran Darr, Master Jedi (PC)

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Vadris 7th, 4ABY

***

A medium sized shuttle craft descended from the sky over the forest surrounding the Jedi Temple. It was an older model of the Imperial Lambda Class, distinctive of its folding wings and the large, vertical dorsal wing at its rear. As the wings folded up for landing, the craft's landing gear disengaged from the belly and the craft lightly touched down upon the pad. A ramp extended from underneath as a small honor guard exited. They were dressed in New Republic garb of blue and silver, looking like ancient warriors from some past Human civilization. They were armed with force-pikes, which each of the six guards held at attention at their sides. A large alien exited from the ramp from behind them, an Anx, the New republic Ambassador to Tae'Karada, Theen Fida.

Theen was an imposing looking being, tall and muscular with a long snout-like face and a crest that protruded back upon his head. His robes flowed as he strode from the ramp to the ground, maroon and black colored, the chest area was bare, revealing Theen's chest with a silver amulet, the insignia of those Anx who served in politics. From behind Theen followed another man, an older humanoid with long white hair and white, pupiless eyes, an Arkanian.

At the edge of the clearing, Theen and his companion were awaited by two white-robed figures, one a tall man mantled in a brown cloak, and the other a woman with striking green eyes who greeted them with an amiable smile. Both tipped their heads at Theen and the Arkanian. "Greetings, Ambassador," the woman stated. "It is a pleasure to meet you once again, albeit under unfortunate circumstances."

Theen nodded his head in greeting. "Greetings, Masters Vorrel and Darr, a pleasure of course. Most unfortunate indeed, yes." Theen then introduced the man at his side. He was dressed in a New republic military uniform, a major by the insignia on his chest. "This is Major Jaro, New Republic Intelligence."

Jaro snapped to attention and bowed his greeting to the Jedi.

The two Jedi returned the gesture. "I am aware that this is a New Republic affair now, since it concerns the welfare of this planet," Laedra began as she and Koran began leading them inside the Temple, "but I am intrigued to know how you wish the Jedi to aid."

"As am I," Theen replied simply. "Were these two not once part of your enclave?" Theen answered. "It is one thing to defend against a coup, forces against forces, but another when fallen Jedi are pulling the strings yes?"

"Dani and Nieme were students here before they fell to the dark side," Koran answered. "And, we have made many attempts to both capture and turn them back to the light. When they are working together, they are extremely powerful. In the past, we have tried to...bring them back, to return them to the light. Our hope was that they weren't so far gone that they couldn't be saved." He nodded gravely. "We see that we may no longer be able to maintain that hope. Now, we may need to destroy them."

"I am fully aware of the Jedi's respect for life, it is a most noble cause. In my position, it is not much different, though most people think little of politicians. I too desire the preservation of life and the goodwill of the people of Tae'Karada," said Theen. "However, hard decisions must be made sometimes, for the better good of the many. These two must be stopped before things get out of hand. This galaxy is just beginning to come out from the shadows from the likes of these two. Tae'Karada is still in a state of transition since its liberation, this just will not do."

"We are aware of what we must do," Koran answered. "Though, I feel that we should make certain you are aware, the Jedi are not...not strong. We have but a handful of Master Jedi, fewer Knights, and a handful of untrained Padawans. We will, however, do as we must to take care of the problem Nieme and Dani pose, the threat to peace they embody. To do otherwise, we would be failing in our primary mission. The Jedi will stop Nieme and Dani. The Jedi will restore peace to Tae'Karada."

Laedra gave Koran a surreptitiously cautioning look. It would not be wise to make promises the Jedi might not be able to uphold.

"In times as these, we all must do what we must. I may be in service to the New Republic, Jedi, but Tae'Karada has been my home for many years. I understand your caution, I will give to the Jedi any aid they may need or so desire," Theen replied.

Laedra raised an eyebrow. "So you did not come here to enlist our help, Ambassador," Laedra asked, "you simply dropped in to ensure that we were taking steps to rectify this matter ourselves?"

Theen rose to his full height and directed himself to the Jedi woman. "You mistake me, Master Jedi. In more ways than one. I doubt there is anything simple of this matter at all. I did not come here to ensure you rectify this situation yourselves. The Jedi have always acted in the best interests of the people, for the people. I had no doubts that the Jedi will do what is in their power to set things right. We are all in this together, we both have oaths to fulfill in the protection of this world and its people. I am here to assure you, that you have allies and that anything that you may need will be at your disposal, it was not meant that I have no intentions of dealing with this matter. Do not presume that I am here to wave about and not to act."

"Then let us get to the purpose of your visit," Laedra offered. She and Koran stepped aside from the conference chamber's open doorway to allow Theen and his companions entry. "Let us speak plainly, Ambassador," she advised the taller being, "so that no more presumptions need be made."

Theen and Major Jaro entered the doorway into the chamber.

"I am sorry to hear that your own have fallen as such, and that they have taken to such actions," Theen said.

"They are no longer our own," Laedra assured him. "There is hope that they still might return to us...but that hope is growing dimmer by the day." Laedra and Koran allowed Theen and his cohort to seat themselves first, then they joined them. "Have you a plan of attack then, Ambassador?"

"I have an idea that needs fleshing out, but I think I have something that may help give an advantage of sorts," said Theen. He then called after one of the guards on the outside of the open doorway. He took off for the shuttle and returned within a moment with a large bag.

He placed the bag on the table and Theen unstrapped the bag and pulled out a large cylinder with a creature inside.

"It is young, and this one's effect is not nearly as great as that of an adult," Major Jaro explained as he sat the cylinder upright on the table. "But I'm sure that you sense the unique attributes of this creature, or the lack of I should say."

A tightness developed around Laedra's eyes as she felt the creature's presence, or at least the effects of it. Trying to dismiss her uneasiness, Laedra shifted her gaze to the ambassador and said, "Young, but I still feel the void it casts. A ysalimiri."

Koran raised an eyebrow as he stared at the creature. It had been discovered after his time, but it was a phenomenon he had studied since his re-awakening. "You plan to use that to capture them," he said, his voice carrying a hint of disdain. "And you do plan to capture them?"

"If it can be so, yes," Theen stated. "If you wish them to be in your captivity to again try and turn them, yes. They mustn't be allowed to go free again to wreak havoc, Master Jedi. I understand your desires to change their ways, I would facilitate this desire in any way I can, however I hope you can respect my position as well. I swore an oath of justice and peace, I am a man of the law, and I would have justice and peace brought to this world to the best of my abilities."

Major Jaro then spoke up, "It is our hope to formulate a plan of action with the aid of the Jedi, this is everyone's problem. We have men, weapons, and the ysalamiri, and you all have a history and knowledge of Dani and Nieme, you know their strengths and weaknesses."

"Their only weakness is one another," Laedra replied, still battling the distraction caused by the Ambassador's creature. "If they can be separated, they can be defeated."

"Major, take the creature back to the ship if you would," Theen said.

The Arkanian put the cylinder back into the bag and took it to one of the New Republic guards outside and took his seat again.

"Then we should base our plan of action on this," Major Jaro stated. "Any thoughts on how to lure one of them away, Master Jedi?"

"Nieme is the darker of the two," Koran added. "She will resort to darker actions sooner than Dani would. We have the greatest chance of bringing Dani back, because of her empathy. She will be much more susceptible to the light-side emotions. But yes, separate them, and they will be easier to stop. You will want to acquire equipment that will render your people immune to her pheromones."

"Very well," Major Jaro replied. "Now what about infiltration? We had discussed on the way here, the possibility of Ambassador Theen going to the Palace with an entourage of some soldiers and perhaps some Jedi under the cloak of the ysalamiri, as a diplomatic envoy and having another team on stand-by, once things have been set in motion. Perhaps we should formulate a two pronged attacked, one to lure the other, and another to subdue this Nieme. We can have the anti-pheromones ready, and maybe even devise a way to pump some into circulation to reverse the effects of those who would already be under her pheromones influence."

"The problem I foresee is getting near the Temple," Laedra stated. "I do not think they would allow us inside so easily. However," she added, glancing at Koran with slight apprehension, "we might have a way."

Koran looked at her, and understood. "We would need to make it look convincing," he said. "I am not certain they would be entirely willing to trust again, not after what happened." He glanced at Theen, then back to Laedra and nodded. "Go ahead and explain."

"We have a Padawan at the Temple who has been...involved with Nieme and Dani," Laedra explained. "I am certain they would give anything to have her returned to them. Her name is Zari Zathmir - she was rescued from the Palace only last evening, after having been abducted by the two women. She will aid us if required."

"I believe that you know best in this area," Theen absconded. "Under the circumstances. How then shall we proceed with this?"

"Leave it with us," Laedra told him. "We shall speak with Zari and gain information from her that will help us infiltrate the palace. Then, we will be in touch, Ambassador." Before he could reply, Laedra quickly warned, "But please, do not do anything premature. If they are angered, I cannot guarantee the safety of anyone on this planet."

"I understand fully, Master Jedi," Theen replied. "I shall be returning to the embassy. Major Jaro can stay here if you wish to aid in your preparations."

"Thank you, Ambassador," Koran Darr said. "We welcome any assistance you can provide us. We will keep you informed of our progress, and alert you when we're ready to make our move on the Palace."

Theen nodded and arose from his seat. "Very well then, anything that is needed shall be at your disposal."

Major Jara also stood and bowed to the Jedi before walking the ambassador out.

"This has just gotten far more complicated," Laedra warned once their guests had left the room.

"It has," Koran said. "We'll need to call a meeting of the Council to discuss this. We need to form our plan of attack now."

Laedra sighed and pushed out of her chair to seek out the room's window. "We're peacekeepers, Koran, not soldiers. I know Nieme and Dani are partially our problem...but I don't feel comfortable storming into the palace and battling it out with them." She leaned her shoulder against the wall and gazed through the stained-glass window. "This doesn't feel right, Koran," she whispered.

"I know it doesn't," Koran said. "But who other than us has any chance of stopping them?"

"That's true," she answered slowly, "but that doesn't make it right, still."

"It doesn't, but what Nieme and Dani are doing is worse."

Laedra smiled wryly as she looked back at Koran. "Then we must stop them by any means necessary, is that not so?"

"Close," Koran said. "We'll stick to our ideals, but we must stop them. Before they do damage that will force us to question our ideals."

"And using a young girl as bait will not?" she asked.

Koran sighed. "We'll need to talk with her," Koran said. "We will need to find out if she is willing to do this. Let's go speak with Zari, and then we can speak with the Council."

Laedra bowed her head in reluctant submission, then joined Koran in leaving the room. As they stepped out into the corridor, a still troubled Laedra asked, "And if we do not stop them...who will be the one to strike the fatal blow?"

Koran let out a breath. "If it comes to it, I will take that responsibility," he said. "I believe it should fall to either myself or Kal'Aran as the senior members of the Council."

"That is foolish," Laedra told him frankly. "It should fall to their masters, Koran." She sighed and shook her head gravely. "Here we are...plotting their deaths already. This is sickening."

"In which case, it would still be me. And, possibly Kallia, though this would be no time for her to be doing such a thing. But you are correct. We will take that step as a last resort. I don't want to see those girls killed. In the Force, it doesn't feel right. It is not their time."

Laedra smiled up at him curiously. "You're trying to comfort me."

"There is still good in them both, Laedra," Koran said. "We just need to reach it. It won't be easy, but I believe we can do it. That is a comforting thought."

She surreptitiously slid her hand into Koran's as they walked and squeezed it. "Thank you."

"Of course," Koran said. "Come on, let's go find Zari. We may need to come up with an alternate plan if she's not up for it."

"For Keeve's sake," Laedra told him, "I believe she will." Or, so she hoped.

Koran nodded silently as they disappeared deeper into the Temple to seek out Zari Zathmir in regards to what very well could be the most important and most dangerous mission of her young life.

***

"What are your thoughts, Ambassador?" Major Jaro asked the Anx as they neared the shuttle.

"I do not believe the Jedi are very receptive to our help, and I think I may have pushed Master Vorrel's buttons the wrong way," he replied with thought.

"Yes, that one did seem rather pompous," Jaro commented.

"Well, I wouldn't say as much," Theen replied. "She is a Master Jedi, and the Jedi have a way of doing things that not all people can understand. As I was trying to explain to them, persons of my standing are not so different, we also dedicate our lives to the well-being of the people, to serve their best interests. Sometimes hard choices have to be made...I have heard an old Human adage, With awesome power comes awesome responsibility."

"As have I, Ambassador, Absolute power corrupts absolutely," Jaro quoted.

"True enough yes. That goes for anyone in such positions with power over others. The Jedi though, can be much more dangerous with their abilities and skills in the Force," Theen explained. "This is their home, as I claim it as my home, and these two failed apprentices are their own. They must be involved, and if they choose to take up where the Old Order left off so long ago, they too must atone for the actions of those they take into their fold. The same would be true of those like myself, in public office. Give men a gun and training, and when they make war unjustly and commit acts of terrorism we must be accountable for it."

"Of course, luckily for you though, you have a little thing called diplomatic immunity," Jaro joked.

"Not funny, my friend," Theen smiled. "Long have the Jedi been guardians of peace and justice throughout the galaxy. I remember the Jedi of old, I lived through and during the time the Jedi failed from the doings of their own. I don't mean to sound that they must be accountable for the actions of those they train and take into their numbers, but they must share in the responsibility."

"So we will wait for the lead of the Jedi then, Ambassador?" Jaro asked with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"Yes, we shall, they know the enemy better than we, and are more capable of dealing with them," Theen replied as he was ready to enter the shuttle. "However, Delta Team will be on stand-by. This little coup of those two women will not be allowed, and I will not see them escape to wreak untold vengeance. We all have spent too much blood and effort for our freedoms to allow the likes of those two to plunge Tae'Karada into darkness."

"Understood," Jaro replied simply.

"Keep me apprised, Major Jaro," Theen ordered as he disappeared into the craft.

"Arrival in Dathomir"
by Tidus Highwind
Quistis Knox
Elina Kasn - NPC
Bazon Zak'Keeer - NPC
Gnorin - NPC
Mar'k - NPC

Location:Ice Lands of Dathomir
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

Elina was seated on the controls of her ship, seeing to the situation of the final stage of the trip. Tidus entered the cockpit looking to every where. He never had seen a model like this one. It had few modifications, some improvements like the hyperspace engine that was faster than his ship, that stayed on Tae'Karada.

Tidus took the seat next and looked to Elina. "Nice ship you got here."

"Thank you," Elina said simply since she didn't want to discuss the subject no more.

Tidus felt uncomfortable in the position he was, he wanted to know more about her, but she was still a stranger to him. "So how long is it going to take to get us to Dathomir?"

Elina looked to Tidus. "About ten minutes or so... Well are you looking forward to finding the myth sword?"

Tidus looked and approached her. "Yeah, especially for the money you're paying. Besides it is only a sword isn't it?" Tidus saw that the answer that it was not, but he wanted her to say.

"No. It is a sword of honor. I waited my whole life to see it," Elina said as she kissed Tidus.

"Why is it so important to you?" Tidus nodded.

Elina laughed. "Well, my mother used to tell about Nagori and his legendary sword. I grew up with that stuff."

Tidus nodded. "But why are you interested in finding the sword. I mean you don't just like the story. He probably never existed..."

"You don't know anything about Nagori! And don't you dare talk that way," Elina said like she was indignifying what Tidus said.

"Elina, it is the way of the Galaxy. To some people Nagori never existed, because their cultures never learned his legend." Tidus paused and set his hand over hers. "I heard it once in my entire life and only now, to me is unknown territory, like you..."

"Me?"

"Yeah. I mean I know you are about honor, but I don't know it, like the story of Nagori."

She sighed and tried to smile. "I was raised based in honor, respecting the adversary, the enemy. The honor you know is not the same honor I know." She looked to the console.

Tidus sat forward and slid to Elina to face her. "Hey. I had three girlfriends in my entire life and you're the only one that was so spontaneous. I never felt like this way before..." He paused. What he said was not helping the situation. "Look I'm willing to learn everything you got to teach me, but you are afraid to teach it. I know you're hiding something and I don't care whatever you did in the past, because I love you."

Elina smiled and kissed him. "I love you too." And kissed and then a person entered the cockpit.

"Sorry to interrupt..." Quistis said to the love scene, that made to show that she was alone in this galaxy. "Is this going to take long? Bazon is about to tell me the story of Nagori for a third time."

"That is the myth story. Parts of it are not very accurate; any clues found will help the Galaxy know that he existed," Elina said. Tidus nodded. He saw the passion she talked about Nagori, why he didn't know, but he realised that what he said a short while ago was way out of hand.

The sound on the controls alerted Elina and Tidus. Elina turned to the controls and to see what was going on. "Better to fasten your seat belts and quick. We got company."

Quistis walked as fast as she could to where Bazon was located and fastened her seat belt around it.

"This is going to be a harsh ride from here," she said, as her ship exited from hyperspace. Tidus saw three to four capital ships, but Elina clicked on the cloaking shield. "Now I hope that they don't think to check the heat signature of this ship."

The ship entered quickly on the planet on Dathomir and quickly they were inside the planet's atmosphere.

Tidus glanced through the ship's window and saw that there was snow until the eyes could see. In some way it reminded him like Hoth, but it would be probably less cold than here.

Elina flew her ship around the settlement and landed on the outskirts of the settlement. She maintained her cloak device on so that the Empire couldn't track her ship. Elina got up from the seat and walked through the entrance where Quistis and Bazon were located. "Ok. I have the only instrument that can track down this ship. So keep close!" she said as she opened the ramp and she walked out, followed by Tidus, Quistis and Bazon.

Quistis felt the cold getting to her; she dressed a warm jacket that Elina had on her hand. Cold seemed not to bother her at all.

They walked to the settlement while a woman with a skin of some dead wild animal to keep her warm. She was holding a long spear. She looked like a warrior woman and seemed to know Elina very well, because she smiled towards her.

"Talek, Gnorin," Elina said as she hugged the woman.

"Talek, my old friend," the woman said. "It is good to see you again, Elina."

"You too..." The woman nodded to the others. "Oh sorry, this is Bazon, Quistis and Tidus. Guys this is Gnorin an old friend of mine and chief tribal of North Pole."

"Talek," Gnorin said. "Elina's friends are welcome to our village."

Quistis nodded. "Talek," she said, thinking that it was some kind of greeting word.

"Gnorin, is everything ready?" Elina asked, while she showed the way in the village.

"Yes. It will be a day of ridin to get to the Temple, but we are getting a strange vibration since it came to the surface," Gnorin said.

Quistis nodded and saw that she only saw girls and women in the village; she wondered where the men were located.

"You need to go to the temple right away. Elina, we are predicting a huge storm in two days and half to arrive here. If you don't arrive here before, your ship will be swallowed by the storm," Gnorin said as she nodded towards Quistis.

"Thank you, Gnorin," Elina said.

Gnorin showed their guide. "This is Maniva. She is going to be your guide."

"Talek, Maniva," Elina said, as Maniva nodded and walked away. Elina nodded, raising an eyebrow.

"She doesn't talk very much over the last two years. Don't worry she understands everything she hears," Gnorin said as she followed Maniva.

They arrived where the beasts that were carrying them to the temple. Maniva, Elina and Gnorin continued to talk, while the rest stood there shocked, looking to the beasts. Bazon even said, "Whoa."

Quistis saw that the beasts were rancors, domestic ones. I thought it was impossible to domesticate rancors. Quistis sighed at the nearby rancors as she made contact with the rancors' eyes.

"Don't be scared, they are not going to hurt you!" said a man that was standing there, like it was a very usual situation.

"I'm not scared! I'm simply surprised. The last time I saw one of this animals," Quistis thought it would insult the people and probably the Rancor's feelings if she called it a beast, "was trying to eat me."

"These are not like the wild ones, trust me." The man approached her with a smile.

"I would like to know a little more about them." Quistis pointed to the rancor.

Elina and Gnorin stood aside from the rest of the group. "Tell me," said Gnorin, "is she the one?"

Elina smiled. "The one and only."

Gnorin nodded and looked towards Quistis that was chatting with the man about the rancors. "Well, Lav seemed to like her. He never likes strangers."

Elina glanced towards Quistis that the man put a bit of food and she gave it to the rancor. "He better be, she is a pretty woman."

Gnorin started to laugh and Elina didn't understood why she was laughing. "You think Lav is the man? No my old friend, Lav is the rancor."

"Oh..." Elina nodded. "I thought you were... Yes, Lav seems to like her. It is in her blood."

"Yes, but Lav didn't like you the way Quistis. Look at her, she is feeding Lav, weeds, it takes Mar'k to hide between the meat so he eats it. She arrives here and Lav is eating willingly." Gnorin looked towards Elina. "She is a very potential girl!"

"I agree with you! She is still immature, she needs to open her eyes slowly to her potential and the temple can open her eyes in some way," Elina said, as she put her hand over Gnorin's shoulder. "How is your son?"

"The same." She looked away and nodded. "He thinks that he is going to be the best trainer of rancors, but he will never be as great has Maniva."

Elina laughed and put her other hand over Gnorin's other shoulder trying to comfort her. "Have a little faithe, Gnorin. Mar'k was able to take control of one of the toughest rancors that I have seen. Lav only obeys him and apparently another one." She nodded her head towards Quistis.

Quistis set her hand that had a glove on the rancor's face. "He is a very noble animal."

"You don't know how much," Mar'k said, glancing towards the glove. Quistis saw it was another man speaking. Mar'k smiled. "If you don't mind asking why are you wearing a glove? Don't you like to touch animals?"

Quistis looked to the glove and felt doubt clouding her head, but quickly shook her head. "No! None at all. I'm Kiffar and I'm natural Psychometry." She saw that Mar'k didn't understand what she said. "I can pick up impressions of past events from animals or objects. I don't have much control over it and if I touch him I will see any past event of Lav and I can hurt anyone around me, because it will seem extremely real to me."

"Sithspit, I though I had problems," Mar'k said out loud and realising a few seconds later. "Sorry."

"Do not worry." Quistis continued to run her hand over the rancor's skin. "It is my curse, my gift..."

Mar'k saw that the rancor understood long before she told him. He saw that a bond between the two was made.

"Miss Knox. Do you want to go with Lav?" Gnorin asked.

"Yes , of course," Quistis said without thinking.

"Very well. Mar'k you take Miss Knox with Lav. I'm going to take Ba with Elina and Mavina takes Kalic with the two men."

"Yes, Mother," Mar'k said. He turned to Quistis and showed the way to climb to Lav. He saw the opportunity to talk with an offworlder about many things of the galaxy.

Tidus and Bazon felt a little odd, like they were the scum of this planet. It was obvious that this trip was going to be quite long.

"Peace, Part 1"
by Alisson Blair
Jae Dyn Brael
Kael Selrid
Kal'Aran
Koran Darr
Laedra Vorrel
Quinlan Vos
Zari Zathmir
and Dargus Kandran

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

They were all present. All the Jedi in the Temple, as opposed to only the elder ones with more experience. It was a matter that concerned them all. Alisson took a look around. Jae Dyn, Kael, Kal'Aran, Koran Darr, Laedra Vorrel and recently returned Quinlan Vos. She couldn't help but wonder if things should always have been with all of them in the Temple...

"The reason I called you all here, I'm sure you have already guessed," Alisson started. "Talara, Ferrig and Zari are missing again. But there seems to be no sign of struggle, so they must have left willingly... But this is not the major concern right now. Nieme and Dani have attacked the Palace in Arcadia last night, and have proclaimed themselves Empresses."

"Do we have reasons to believe that Talara, Ferrig and Zari are with them?" Quinlan asked, as he was the one who had been further away from the Temple in recent times.

"We do," Alisson nodded. "I believe we must consider we already lost Talara and Ferrig to their side. I'm not sure about Zari though. Perhaps Masters Vorrel and Darr can provide a better insight, though..."

"I don't believe she went willingly," Laedra said to the small group of masters. "She...is in love with Padawan Slaton. She likely would not have left without him, unless she was forced."

"Then we must consider that she isn't there willingly, but that Talara and Ferrig are," Kal'Aran stated. "And with Nieme and Dani, that makes three padawans and one more helper. Plus all the guards that may be at their disposal in the Palace," he pointed out.

"While there was no sign of a struggle, I believe Nieme and Dani may have caught them by surprise. Talara is still in a dangerous stage, and I believe it is possible that something of what Nieme and Dani are offering appeals to her. Ferrig, I am uncertain. In any case, Nieme and Dani must be stopped, and the others must be freed."

"This has gone too far. We cannot allow them to pursue this any longer. Taking padawans willingly or not, it has persisted too long," Quinlan said. "Master Darr, you have trained them before. Will either Nieme or Dani step down? Or will we have to ready ourselves for a more controversial end?" he asked.

"It doesn't seem likely that they should step down without a struggle. It seems obvious that they crave this title for quite some time now," Alisson stated with a raised eyebrow. "Plus, with all the guards at the Palace, they will think themselves stronger."

"So cutting them down," Laedra interpreted. "Is that a path you are so willing to take, Masters?"

"No," Quinlan said calmly as he shook his head. "This is not a path that I wish to pursue, Master Vorrel. But I have seen too many times what happens to those who endure too long in the dark side and who haven't a care in the world for resigning from it. And sometimes their death is the only safe way," he said.

"Hopefully it will not come to that," Kal'Aran said as he raised his hand gently to intervene. "Kael Selrid is perhaps the one among us who knows Nieme better," he pointed out as he looked at the young man. "Perhaps you can share your insight with us?"

"I knew Nieme," Kael said. "But, I don't believe I know her any longer, not as I did. I don't believe we will be able to reason with them, but we should fight to subdue, not to kill. They deserve the chance to return to the light before we make that choice for them."

"Even though that choice may not always be possible, I have to agree with Kael," Kal'Aran nodded. "It would be possible that they return. However, we cannot let them have this current position. It is not wise nor is it safe," he commented.

"And with the Palace guards, we will have to find an alternate way inside. Alisson?" Vos asked, finding that it wasn't necessary to ask the question.

Alisson nodded. "There are alternate ways. Some go from underground tunnels to certain rooms inside the Palace. There are also concealed paths that connect certain rooms within the palace itself..." she told the council. "However unlikely it may be that they know about them, I myself cannot say for sure which have been found and closed over the time, namely while Tarkin was still around. But finding that shouldn't be too hard. The real difficulty will be passing through security and finding Nieme and Dani. For this I would like to propose that Dargus Kandran joins us..." she said, seeing the look of surprise on most faces. She herself looked at Jae Dyn. "He knows the Palace well. Almost as well as me, in fact. And we should split in teams to cover more ground. The question is, can he be trusted? He was aligned with them before."

"For this, I believe Dargus can be trusted," Kallia said, looking around the room. Dargus wasn't present; at the moment he wasn't even at the Temple, instead he was off with Keeve making some plan that they intended to follow. She'd have to summon him back for the planning stages, and she was certain he'd agree. Keeve, on the other hand, would be a different matter. "Despite his past alliances, his heart is true in his desire to turn to the light. Somehow, he's found some honour. I think including him in the team would be a wise move."

"Or a foolish one," Laedra countered. "Are you so certain he is not deceiving us all, that he was not the one who aided Nieme and Dani in carrying out this coup?"

Kallia grinned. "I don't believe that Dargus Kandran possesses the subtlety required to do something like that," she said. "I don't think he'd be able to maintain an illusion like that for long, and...and I don't believe he'd be able to...to fool Yara."

"Many things can a dark one do. Let us not forget that the Emperor himself fooled all the Jedi at the time of the Old Republic. Even the most powerful Jedi Masters couldn't see through his intentions," Quinlan pointed out. "And though Dargus may not be as strong as the Emperor was, he did try to kill us all once."

"And yet he has come here willingly," Kal'Aran pointed out. "If we are to grant him a chance to prove that he wishes to leave his dark ways, then this might be it. In any case, if we are split in groups, Dargus will be with some of us at all times, meaning outnumbered."

"Perhaps," Laedra advised, "we should speak directly with Mr. Kandran before making any set decisions."

"He should return soon," Kallia offered. "Though, I am not certain of his exact schedule. I can have him summoned before us as soon as he's back though."

"Then we shall do so," Kal'Aran nodded. "It seems the best way to see his intentions. However, we must see to it that we do this soon. Taking too much time will mean granting Nieme and Dani more time to install and prepare themselves for any upcoming attack."

"That is why I believe that having Kandran at our side will grant us a certain advantage," Alisson shared as she took a glance. "Though I myself have never liked him much - not before he was trained in arcane ways, and certainly not afterwards - I must admit that he knows the Palace well. One party can come with me and the other can go with him. At any rate, we should be able to cross and gain easy access into the main room where Dani and Nieme should be. And if they are not, we can still gain access to most security overrides."

"And what of the hostages?" Laedra asked. "If we are detected, why should they not simply kill them in retaliation?"

"Well, first of all, we have to consider that the only real hostages would be Oot Kovan and the other members of the Royal Council. However, Nieme and Dani still do need them to be able to rule the planet, so it doesn't seem likely that they would kill them," Alisson told Laedra. "Besides that, the Palace Guards themselves served Oot Kovan as representative of the government of Tae'Karada, so they too shouldn't pose a threat to her life or that of the Royal Council. This means that our sole concern is really Nieme, Dani, Talara, Ferrig and Zari."

"You don't believe they will kill their hostages?" Laedra asked incredulously. "They have no regard for lives other than their own. Everyone near them is at risk."

"Then we have a reason to keep ourselves concealed, if possible, and act fast," Quinlan argued. To him it didn't seem all that hard, as he had done so countless times for the Old Republic Jedi Council, in many many difficult situations. "In any chance, it doesn't seem likely that they would kill the guards or use them as hostages, so the Royal Council and this Oot Kovan are the true threatened ones. However, I believe that the greatest challenge will be that Nieme, Dani, Talara and Ferrig may not be in the same location when we get there," he stated.

"Plus, we need to find Zari," Kal'Aran nodded. "Master Vorrel, how liable is it that Talara herself doesn't engage us? She might be a weak link..." he suggested.

"I am not certain what to think regarding Talara," she replied. "I thought she was fully prepared to follow the path of the Jedi, then she does this...." Laedra shook her head solemnly. "For Nieme and Dani, she would likely kill any of us if she had the chance. But it might be that Zari can get through to her."

"If anyone can get through to her," Kael said, adding his voice to the council for the first time, "it would be either Zari or Master Vorrel. Of the three of them, however, Talara will prove to be the greatest threat in a fight. While she may not be as skilled with the use of the lightsaber as Nieme or Dani, or any of us here, she has, at her young age, mastered Ta'Sae'Kordo under the tutelage of Master Ki'Ayalin."

"The greatest bondage should happen between Master and pupil..." Kal'Aran commented. "But it is often not so. Perhaps once we find Talara, she will turn down herself from fighting. At any chance, she should hold herself but certainly not be a match for any of us as in skill of the ways of the Force."

"My greatest concern goes for Nieme and Dani," Quinlan commented. "Can anyone assess how much they have been able to develop their skills?" he asked.

"I can attest that they have grown considerably in strength," Koran said. "Especially when they are working together. I believe we will have a difficult time of it, but our strengths will become their weakness. Our control, in greater numbers, will overmatch their chaos."

Alisson nodded to Koran's remarks. "Yes, surely if we bind our strength together, we can ascertain a greater skill and overcome them. However, this will not be an easy task and we will need to focus at our best. For this I propose we take no Padawans. As good as they may be, all lack the skill and could provide us with one extra care we will not be needing," she said. "And here they can guard the Temple... Perhaps with Master Jae Dyn?" she asked, since Jae Dyn was pregnant, and therefore not the best candidate to go with them on such a mission.

"I'll watch over the Temple and the Padawans," Jae Dyn said with a nod. "I don't believe I would be much use out there."

"We also have Ambassador Theen's soldiers at our disposal if necessary," Laedra informed them. "His commander, Major Jaro, is currently at the Temple, waiting for our decision."

"Although I am sure Ambassador Theen means well, we cannot indulge ourselves with an army. It seems better to maintain our numbers small and concealed, avoiding confrontation with Royal Palace guards than arriving with a large group. That would only mean a physical and unnecessary confrontation that would involve the death of soldiers, probably on both sides!" Quinlan said calmly.

Kal'Aran raised his hand gently. "It doesn't seem a wise thing to take them inside. But we may need them if things get bad enough. Perhaps they can serve as a backup, should we have need for them? Or better even they can call the guards' attention to another location within the Palace so we can roam more freely inside, with only a minimum number of guards?" he suggested with a raised eyebrow.

"I do not think Major Jaro or Ambassador Theen would approve," Laedra told them. "He seemed rather insistent. He even procured a ysalamiri for just this purpose."

"Then I suggest we stay at least ten meters away from the creature, and consequently from Major Jaro," Vos said with a small smirk. "Although it would be good to get the creature near Nieme and Dani, it is a two sided weapon, and we too will not be able to use our Jedi capabilities when near a ysalamiri."

"I would prefer acting alone at any rate," Laedra stated. "This is a matter involving two fallen Jedi. Outside involvement should be limited."

"I agree," Kal'Aran nodded. "Have you informed Major Jaro that we would not have him with us, especially considering the ysalamiri? That could damage us more than Nieme and Dani."

"We have not," Laedra informed him. "We can hardly deny them, Master Kal'Aran. It is his jurisdiction; allowing us to participate is simply courtesy on his part."

"The Jedi, Master Vorrel, are guardians of peace. And during the Old Republic we were confided with harsh tasks such as this one, or worse. If we had the trust of the majority of the galaxy before, then I believe that Ambassador Theen would grant us some leverage on the matter," Kal'Aran argued. "Nieme and Dani were our students, and therefore our responsibility all the most. Politics, we may leave at their hand."

Quinlan sighed as he rubbed his chin. "At the most, we can ask Major Jaro for his cooperation. His goal is the same as ours, and surely he does not wish death upon innocent lives, and nor should Ambassador Theen. As Jedi, we stand a greater chance than him. Perhaps we can talk to Major Jaro and find terms with him. And if he still wants to come, then his wild card will not be welcome among us," he stated, referring to the lizard-like ysalamiri.

"I doubt that is of any concern to him," Laedra mentioned. "But if you do wish to discuss it with him, he is staying on at the Temple for the time being." She smiled at Kal'Aran. "Perhaps the insight from someone of your status will help him to reconsider his approach to the matter."

"I will gladly speak to him on the matter," Kal'Aran nodded. "But we must move fast. The more time we take, the more time Nieme and Dani will have to prepare. I'm sure they know that we are coming."

"Should I go ahead in advance to check the areas from which we would be able to enter the Palace?" Alisson suggested. "I'm sure there are still secret entrances that have not yet been discovered. We could be ready to go tomorrow."

"If you go, be extremely careful," Koran Darr cautioned. "I'm certain that Dani and Nieme are on their guard now, and if they catch anyone poking around the palace, we may lose whatever element of surprise we may have."

"There were quite a few secret entrances that were a bit far from the Palace. Secret tunnels, if you will, so that the Royal family could leave and come out far from the Palace, should they be in danger," Alisson explained. "I will check some of those first, as they would be the safest way in. I take it that all agree on acting as soon as possible, so I will be ready with details tomorrow," she promised. "Jae Dyn, perhaps you can call on Dargus Kandran to know if he will join us with this task?" she asked.

"I always hate it when the party starts before I arrive," called out a voice from the back of the room. "Though, at least it looks like there's still enough going on for me to crash." At the back of the room, looking haggard and worn, was Dargus Kandran. At his side, wrapped in a blanket and still shivering slightly, stood Zari Zathmir. "Somehow Nieme and Dani have enlisted the palace guards to their side. I believe they're using some means to coerce them, but I sensed no Force-bond between them. I have a feeling the soldiers are acting upon Oot Kovan's orders and are going along until circumstances change."

Laedra stood from her seat, looking upon Zari with mild surprise and relief. "Padawan, are you harmed?"

"I think...I think I'm alright," Zari said. "They didn't...didn't beat me too much."

"Dargus Kandran..." Kal'Aran said with a rather mild tone. Truth was that he didn't trust the man for his past actions, namely against the Jedi. But he wasn't going to deny him a chance to redeem himself. "How did you manage to get in and out of the Palace? And what of Nieme, Dani and Talara?" he asked, as he wanted to know just what expected them.

"Nieme and Dani still hold the palace," Dargus answered. "I'm not certain of Talara's status, but I'm fairly certain she remains in the palace as well. Keeve and I went in, we ascended the cliff from the water below. We met resistance on the inside almost immediately. Keeve is still inside...he didn't make it out, and I can only assume he is still Nieme and Dani's prisoner. I'm quite certain they will have the cliff watched even more carefully now. The only change I am certain of is that they no longer hold Zari."

Alisson sighed. "Then we have lost our element of surprise. Or at least part of it," she stated. "But we still do have the advantage of maybe going inside by unconventional ways. Hopefully directly into the Palace itself," she added confidently. Alisson then looked at Dargus Kandran. "Dargus Kandran. We have crossed paths before, and I never liked you. Not when you were a crimelord who plotted and wished to take the throne for yourself and the High Princess to your bed, and certainly not when you raided the Temple and tried to kill us. But Jae Dyn seems to believe in you. And I'm ready to believe in her judgement. You know the Palace on the inside well. If you were to go with us, I would require your help to take Raeila and Nieme out of the throne. Would you accept to come with us and help?"

"To stop the two of them in what they're doing, I'll lend whatever help I can."

"By stopping them, we don't mean to take their lives," Kal'Aran said, just to make sure Dargus Kandran that it was clear as to what they intended. "We Jedi are peacekeepers, not assassins or killers. And there may yet be a chance to bring Nieme and Dani out of the dark path they walk in."

"Although, ultimately it will have to be their choice to give up that path..." Quinlan Vos added.

"At this time," Laedra said, now standing next to Zari, "I doubt that is even a consideration for them." Laying a hand gently on the girl's shoulder, she smiled. "I believe Major Jaro would gladly speak with the council. For now, I will take care of Padawan Zathmir." She bowed her head at the convening masters, then turned out of the chambers with Zari.

Dargus watched Laedra go, then turned back to Vos and Kal'Aran. "I just fought against both of them," he said. "If I intended to kill them, I would have already done it."

Kal'Aran merely nodded as acknowledgement to Kandran's words. "Then I believe we are ready for taking action in the Palace. Though we must still speak with Major Jaro," he stated. He wondered if Laedra would have called him in.

"Peace, Part 2"
by Alisson Blair
Jae Dyn Brael
Kael Selrid
Kal'Aran
Koran Darr
Laedra Vorrel
Quinlan Vos
and Dargus Kandran
Major Jaro

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

Major Jaro was lead into the chambers by the Jedi Master Laedra Vorrel. He sized the council up and down before speaking.

"How may I be of service?" Jaro asked in a clear and crisp military fashion.

"Major Jaro," Kal'Aran said as he bowed his head. "I'm told we have your support and that of the New Republic for taking Nieme and Dani out of power..." he stated with a very serene tone. "First of all, let me thank you for your support. However, it may be irrational to storm the Palace. I'm sure you are aware that they too have guards, and that they are under the command of Nieme and Dani themselves. Though we have reasons to believe they would not harm Oot Kovan or the other members of the royal council, the same would not apply to you and your men or even to us. I see no reason to have a bloodshed. And more so, when we can prevent it from happening," he told the Major.

"I am Jedi Knight Alisson Blair. I was former personal guard to the High Prince and High Princess, and I was raised within the Palace walls," Alisson explained. "I know the place inside out, even blindfolded. And there are alternative ways. You see, the Palace has secret ways in and out. And even passages that connect areas of the palace, inside it. I don't believe that Nieme or Dani know of them. In fact, not even Oot Kovan may be aware of them. We can use these to get inside and free the royal council and stop Nieme and Dani," she said.

Quinlan raised his hand as he nodded to the Major who stood before them all. "However, Major Jaro, this does not mean we would not need assistance. While I believe that it would be best for the Jedi to deal with Nieme and Dani, we do not wish conflict with the guards at the palace. Should you and your men provide us with, let us call it a distraction, the palace guards would be more concentrated on your position, allowing us to get to Nieme and Dani faster. However, this is a big risk we ask you to take. One which I will understand if you do not wish to engage upon."

"With all due respect," Jaro replied, "my men and I have taken oaths, in service to the New Republic, to the galaxy in general. We are no strangers to dangerous situations, nor of dangerous foe. Ambassador Theen has pledged any and all support in this matter. Our services are at your disposal, Jedi Masters."

"Thank you," Kal'Aran bowed once more. "In that case I assume you accept to help create a diversion for us to gain an easier access to the main rooms of the palace, and therefore deal with Nieme and Dani ourselves?" he asked just to make sure that things were understood.

"I would request that you take care with the ysalamiri lizards. Though they create a void which nullifies the Force, which could be a good weapon against Nieme and Dani, they are a menace to our abilities as well. But bear conscience that the radius is only ten meters. If by any chance Nieme or Dani were to engage you, they will have full capability if beyond ten meters from the ysalamiri," Quinlan Vos added.

"We are aware of the ysalamiri capabilities and their limitations," Jaro answered. "As are we aware of the hindrance they could cause to you," Jaro continued. "My men will take the diversion, so that you may focus upon the Force wielders. However, I have my orders, Nieme and Dani are not to be allowed to escape. I shall aid you in any way you deem fit, but I cannot stand by and allow them to go free if you are not able to conclude their actions."

"We do not plan to let them escape, Major," Alisson said. "We too hope to see them brought to justice. But mind you that as peacekeepers we do not wish their death either," she explained calmly. She then looked at Dargus for a second. Should they wish death, surely he would have been their target for a long time. "And we thank you for your assistance. Hopefully we will deal with this matter swiftly, and peace will be restored."

Koran Darr turned his attention to the major. "What are your plans should we be unable to stop Nieme and Dani," he asked, a single eyebrow raised to punctuate the question. "You have your orders, and, as you say, you cannot stand by and allow them to go free. What is your plan should they...get free?"

Major Jaro stood for a moment in silence and then replied to the Jedi Master, "I understand that your role is that of peacekeepers, Master Jedi, and that you all honor all life. I too understand that these women were once under the tutelage and charge of this Temple. I do not mean any disrespect in your ways and in your concerns for how this situation is dealt with," he explained. "I have under my charge, forces that will not permit the escape of those in question. Dead, or alive, they will not be allowed to go free. We have tactical forces in place and awaiting their commands, as Ambassador Theen has instructed, I am to aid you in whatever ways you deem, after all, as you have all stated you know best how to deal with them, and your skills and knowledge are of course, better suited to the task. If you can reclaim the palace and apprehend the women with our aid in distracting the Palace forces, then so be it. But if you cannot, we shall act in force, with extreme prejudice.

"The New Republic has interests in this world, in this sector, and above all else, though this world is not a part of the New Republic, the governing body of the galaxy does not wish to see further harm and danger to the citizens of this world. Ambassador Theen especially, for this has been his home for many, many years. Ambassador Theen has nothing but the utmost respect for the Jedi and your ways, and his loyalty to this world is no less than that of your oaths to protect it from any and all dangers. You have your code, your beliefs and your ways, as does any other faction. I respect that, and though I have been ready to strike on behalf of the New Republic, Theen has dissuaded me otherwise, to allow for the Jedi to act within their parameters for the best interests of all. However, as has been stated, this situation shall not be allowed to spill out upon the entire world. It must end."

"I believe you misunderstood my question, Major," Koran Darr said as he leveled his gaze at the New Republic military officer. "Or, you are deliberately avoiding answering the question I asked. What is your plan? If the Jedi are unable to stop Nieme and Dani, what is your plan to stop Nieme and Dani, specifically?"

"Specifically, Master Jedi, my teams will have the palace grounds surrounded, we will commit to this diversion, and if you cannot apprehend the women, my men will take action to subdue them. We have plans of action in the event they flee the palace, to have them cornered, with force and the use of the ysalamiri if capable. I recommend to be included with those going into the palace, if what Master Blair says is true of these secret entrances and exits, I can have men stationed at those points, to keep from any possible escape. It is imperative that I be included, if your actions fail I need to be able to have my forces alerted. I assure you I shall follow your lead and not impede on your tasks," Jaro replied. "I sense that you do not approve nor care for the aid of myself and my forces, understandably so, however, we are here to help. If Theen has every confidence in your abilities to resolve this matter, then so do I. I am in no way here to make things difficult, nor to have the situation done in my way, I am the next line of action should things go awry. If you have an alternate plan of action for my men, I am open to discussion, after all that is why I am here."

"I'm sure Master Koran Darr means no disrespect to you or your men, nor to Ambassador Theen," Kal'Aran stated. "But we do need to know of your actions so we can combine with them. Notice that though we are more experienced than Nieme and Dani in the Jedi ways of the Force, even we cannot predict whether we will be able to stop them entirely," he explained. "It will not be easy."

Quinlan Vos nodded to Kal'Aran's words. "Concerning your coming along, Major, I'm not so sure that would be wise. After all, if Nieme and Dani slip our grasp, then you and your men are the next line. And facing them might be harder than anything you've come across so far. Surely your men would need your command with them," he suggested. "However, I'm sure Alisson would be willing to grant you her knowledge on the Palace grounds."

"I understand that you cannot foresee the assuredness of their capture, as I cannot either. I have explained so far that I have forces available, you have expressed your wishes to go in without me or my men, and that you wish to coordinate our efforts in the event that what actions you take fail," replied Jaro. "So then I ask you, other than a diversion to help keep the palace forces occupied, how else can we be of service so that you may act. After all, it will be difficult for me and my men to be on the ready if we haven't the slightest notion of what is going on within the palace."

Jaro then turned to face Master Blair, bowed with acknowledgement. "I would appreciate the sharing of your knowledge of the palace, Master Jedi."

"There are some locations that give access to certain areas inside the Palace. One of these passages will allow us inside unnoticed by the guards on the Palace perimeter. I shall reveal these same locations to you, so you may keep them guarded," Alisson stated. "But I don't believe that Nieme and Dani know of these ways in and out, or they would have used them. You creating a distraction would help get a concentrated number of palace guards to your location, leaving the inside of it more free for us to roam. Though I agree with not having others come along for our safety and their own, we would keep with communication, and therefore would be able to let you and your men know in advance if any of them escape," Alisson stated.

"Fair enough, Master Jedi," Jaro replied simply.

"Then I believe it is settled," Quinlan stated. "You agree to leave the inside of the Palace to us, unless we find ourselves unable to cope with our mission and let you know?" he asked just to make sure.

"Agreed," Major Jaro replied.

Kal'Aran nodded. "Then we shall move as soon as it is possible. We were thinking on tomorrow. Alisson Blair shall contact you to grant you the details on Palace grounds. Have your men ready for deployment. Is there anything you want to ask, Major Jaro?"

"I believe everything is in order, Master Jedi," Jaro replied. "My men will be ready, and I shall await the information from Master Blair."

With that, Major Jaro bowed, and turned crisply for the door. He left the chamber and exited the Temple.

***

Outside, alone, he commed his secure com-link. "This Major Jaro Ambassador."

"Report," Theen commanded from over the link.

"I have finished talking with the Jedi, they plan on striking tomorrow. My forces are to await their need in the event that the Jedi women in the Palace escape. I do not like the idea of sitting on the side, Ambassador," Jaro explained.

"Follow their lead, Major, that is an order," Theen commanded, and the com-link went out.

"Second Thoughts"
By: Kael Selrid
Raeila Selrid
Laedra Vorrel
Koran Darr
Alisson Blair
Nieme Yaresh
Dani
Talara Sorenne
Keeve Shivral
Kal'Aran
Quinlan Vos

Location: Various
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

His boots rang loudly against the stone floors of the Temple as he made his way to his home. It was the first time it'd felt vaguely like home for some time. As Kael Selrid turned the corner, his cloak billowed behind him. He was a Jedi Knight, a guardian of peace in the galaxy. Tomorrow, he would take up the mantle of peacekeeper, the first official Jedi action against Nieme and Dani. Tomorrow, they would seek to remove Nieme and Dani from power. Kael was uncertain how he truly felt due to his past with both of them. He knew them, cared for them, but they were no longer the young women he'd once known. A darkness had invaded the beauty they once exuded, an evil had consumed their personalities turning each into something vile.

He'd cared for them at one time, even loved and married Nieme. But, that was not meant to last. His heart belonged to Raeila now, though deep down he was now more certain than ever it had never stopped being hers. From the first moment he'd met her, he'd loved her. Something within Nieme had drawn him in, but that had died. Lately, everything Nieme touched died.

Tomorrow would be one of the most difficult days of Kael Selrid's life.

He pushed open the door to the small apartment he shared with Raeila, one of the few within the Temple. She was sitting on the bed, datachips and memory crystals spread out around her. He gave her a smile and approached as she looked up. The smile, however, didn't last. Something in his eyes must have told her because her expression turned to one of concern.

"The Council's agreed," he said as he crawled up carefully beside her and sat cross-legged. "Tomorrow, the Jedi are going to go to the palace in Arcadia and try to put an end to Nieme and Dani's reign of terror. It is still believed that Ferrig is inside; I'll make certain he makes it out. Everyone is uncertain of Talara...some believe she's past hope, some maintain hope. I don't know which I should believe."

"She'll come back," Rae whispered with conviction. "If Ferrig comes...she'll have to." She'd released the data chip in her hand to cover Kael's knee, needing the contact. "Will it be so dangerous?"

"I'm uncertain," Kael answered. "According to Dargus, their defenses are fairly strong. We will have roughly ten Jedi Masters and Knights. I believe we'll be able to overcome. The trickiest part is that Nieme and Dani have no qualms about what sort of damage they cause, which could put us at a disadvantage. I'll bring Talara and Ferrig back, Rae. And, I just got you back, I'm not about to get separated from you again."

Raeila seemed troubled. "But...if required, you will give your life for the Order," she whispered, "won't you?"

"I'm supposed to," Kael said. "But, I hope it doesn't come to that, because I don't know if that truly is a decision I could make. And, I think that is one of the primary reasons why attachment was forbidden to Jedi. Even though I go into this, knowing that I may not make it out, I will do everything I possibly can to make sure I come back to you. I will come back to you, Raeila. I promise."

She smiled fondly. "Good...because we need more time than a couple days to make a baby."

Kael smiled and took her hand into his. "Good, because after this thing is over tomorrow, I want to make arrangements with a place over on the coast. It'll probably only be a few days, maybe a week, but I want some time with just you. We can spend enough time here to make sure Ferrig and Tala are alright, make sure things will be alright. I've heard the coast is a perfect place to try to make a baby."

Raeila giggled as she pushed all the chips and crystals to one side of the bed, then gripped the front of Kael's robes. She pulled him towards her, the mischievous smile on her face unmistakable. "I think," she whispered, "that right here is just as good."

Kael kissed her as he adjusted his position on the bed. "You know," he said, "I think you're very right. Should we try for a boy or a girl today, my beautiful wife? If you're feeling particular adventurous, we could try for a both."

"Oh, Kael," she snickered and reclined, taking Kael down with her. If he was forced to give his life for the Order tomorrow, at least they would have one moment for themselves today.

***

They walked side by side, moving together through the corridors of the Temple. Koran Darr was on the left, Laedra Vorrel on his right. Neither smiled, both were as deep in their own thoughts as in the private conversation they shared. "I don't believe this will go as well as they hope," he said, though the words were unnecessary. They both felt it. "Something does not feel right in the Force."

"It never does when it concerns the dark side," Laedra replied. "But the council has spoken. We have no choice but to proceed."

"Nieme and Dani must be stopped, but I don't believe this course of action has been planned with wisdom. I only hope, when we get there, that we are still able to salvage the situation. I do not trust that the attack will proceed as we have planned. I only hope we are able to adapt to the changes."

"As Jedi, we must have faith in the Force," Laedra preached. "But frankly," she continued, and a smile replaced her previously stolid facade, "I trust more in our own ability to come through this. Our fates are in our own hands."

Koran nodded. "That feeling can be dangerous for us," he said. "But, I do agree with you. All we can do is trust in the Force when we are there, and let it guide us through the situation."

Laedra sighed and peered out through a passing window in the corridor. "It would be a shame never to return to this place." Her eyes watched Koran sidelong as she smiled. "There are still many areas we haven't explored together."

Koran nodded, then shared in the smile. "Yes," he said. "I believe there's a whole fourth floor we have yet to examine. The Force will be with us, Laedra. We will come through this...though, I cannot be certain of the state things will be in when the dust settles. I just...I hope we don't need to destroy them."

"All I know," Laedra said, "is that I won't be the one to do it. No matter what."

"I am certain they can both be brought back," Koran said. "The only difficulty is in finding the means to do it."

"Orn?" Laedra suggested. "They were once close to him."

Koran's only response for a long, silent moment was a smile. "We should go speak to him, see how willing he is to assist us." He looked up at her, his eyes glittering in the light as thoughts spiralled in and out of his mind. His smile turned playful. "I knew there was a reason I loved you."

She chuckled. "Only one?"

Koran chuckled. "I can think of a few others," he said. "We should talk with Orn. He may be our secret weapon against their darkness. Let's just hope his feelings for them haven't changed since their fall."

"One's love for another never wanes, Koran." She smiled at him significantly. "Never."

"A year ago, I would not have known truly what you meant when you said that," Koran said. "But now, I know that more fully than I ever could have before."

"Then you're saying you're glad I came along," she surmised, smiling pointedly.

"With all of my heart," Koran said. "And, even though you hog over half the bed. Come on, let's go check in on Orn."

Laughing softly, Laedra slipped her arm through Koran's for the sake of contact; opportunities to do so might be lacking soon enough and Laedra wasn't about to miss out on this one.

***

She burned scented candles while closing her eyes and breathing deep. She knew what was to come. She was one of the people who supported it the most. But she felt that something was not right... And she could tell it was a feeling that the other Jedi Masters felt too.

Meditation calmed her senses and provided her with a clean mind, but nothing came to her. No visions... No mere glimpse of a possibility of the outcome. She knew nothing of what was to come, except that things could go very wrong.

She thought of when she was a child. She knew her way around the palace grounds better than anyone else. In fact, she might be the last remaining person who knew all its secrets. And she was supposed to let the Major into her knowledge... Well, he seemed too eager to go into action, which didn't settle well with a Major or anyone with such a high rank, unless he wasn't too well experienced.

But he did seem to have the confidence of Ambassador Theen, and they were working together... Perhaps she could hold some of the cards. Not show him all the secret entrances and keep things to a lower profile. After all, what would the New Republic do with such information? And what if they lost it to the wrong hands?

She had to leave before the attack to study the ways in that were still available. And as much as she would prefer to discuss it with her fellow Jedi, she had no time to lose. Perhaps things would run smoother than she was willing to believe.

Keep a positive thought, she told herself as she got up and blew the candles out. She grabbed her gear and her lightsaber and sighed once, then making her way out the door. They had to succeed. Any other way and they would leave behind Padawans with their training unfinished, not to mention so many other things...

***

Clad in leather that nearly fully encased her body, but accentuated every curve, Dani stalked around the throne room. Her purple skin was dusky from the anger she felt, the betrayal. Of course, the betrayal was expected. She knew the Jedi wouldn't sit idly by. But, she'd been one of them...and it seemed to mean nothing to them. "Tomorrow," she said again, echoing the words they'd heard just a few moments before. "It's going to happen tomorrow. We'll need to be ready."

Lounging in a silk slip upon her throne, legs draped over the armrest, Nieme sighed. "We are ready, my flower. What can a few Jedi do against our army?"

"Trained Jedi against them?" Dani said. "While we are stronger than they could ever be, I don't think we should underestimate them. Blasters will be useless against the Jedi, my love. Our army will need a plan. The clones will be fine. I have a feeling the beautiful specimens Jadda loaned us will be cut down without much effort. We'll need to go over our defenses. I don't want to lose this place, and we'll lose it just like Dargus did if we become too overconfident."

"Then we must have every inch of this place scrutinized for vulnerabilities, breaches in our defense - anything the Jedi can exploit to slip inside." Nieme smiled serenely. "My love...they will not take this palace from us. And if they try, one of our hostages will die."

"Oot Kovan," Dani purred. "I will begin searching the palace for exploits. How are you doing with Keeve Shivral?"

She chuckled with delight. "By the time I'm through with him, he'll be a mindless drone willing to perform our bidding without hesitation." One finger dragged lazily over the tops of her breasts. "Oh but he is a fiery one...something I so enjoy."

"I'm sorry I'm not joining you with him," Dani said. "Though, Talara seems very willing to assist you. She's taken a rather intense interest in him."

"That could pose a problem," Nieme mused. "We can't have her becoming far more loyal to a hostage than she is to us."

Dani laughed. "Oh, I don't think it's that," she said. "I think she just wants to get at that beautiful body of his. Very lustful that little one is."

"We've molded her well," Nieme admired with satisfaction. "Which is another reason we must stop those pesky Jedi. They can't ruin what we've accomplished. It isn't fair."

"Oh, they won't," Dani said. "Now that our new friend has revealed all to us, we'll be ready. They won't know they're walking right into a trap...until it is too late."

Nieme opened her arms as Dani neared and pulled her lover down onto her lap. "We'll teach them to meddle," Nieme whispered, brushing her lips against Dani's throat. "If they live long enough." She giggled.

"Oh, this will be beautiful," Dani purred as she decided to put off her inspection for just a little longer.

***

"Everything is ready," Talara whispered in Keeve's ear. "Now we just need to do it."

He swatted away a lock of Talara's hair brushing against his cheek as she leaned over him. Lying on his side under the thick sheets of their luxury bed, Keeve was more interested in sleeping than attempting a futile escape. "So, when do we leave?"

She sat down at his side, brushing the hair from his forehead. "We can leave tomorrow," she said. "It sounded, from the comm they got, that things were heating up. There's something happening tomorrow. We can use it as a distraction."

"Maybe there's a ball and we're not invited," he quipped, and pulled the covers closer.

"Well, considering we want to get out of here, I don't think that's so bad," Tala said. "And, I think I'd be afraid of anyone Nieme and Dani would invite to a ball."

He smirked and finally opened his eyes. "Fine." Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he sat up. The covers fell away to expose his fully unclothed self. "I'll need my boots," he told Talara, and with a grin over his shoulder, added, "And maybe some pants."

"Pants are highly overrated," Tala said as she pulled her eyes back up to his face, though the admiration had not faded from them. "I think they're still in the hiding spot." She slipped away from the bed with one last, longing look back in his direction.

Keeve stood up tall, stretching his arms above his head and arching his back to get the kinks out. Taut muscles loosened and stiff bones cracked. He was suddenly feeling much older than his ten years. "So," he grunted, and sighed once his body was limber, "what's this big event that's happening?"

Talara closed her mouth and returned her eyes to his face. "I don't know," she said, her voice distant. "If you...I mean...you...you shouldn't do that. It's too...you're...it's just too...nice."

Keeve cocked an eyebrow at her, then held out his hand. "My pants?"

"Sure," Talara said with a nod. She held them out to him, her face reddening slightly with a blush. "Sorry."

He muttered a thanks and proceeded to step into them. "You're not going to get this flustered while we're trying to escape, are you?"

"As long as you're wearing pants," Talara said, "I'll be fine."

"You sure you can't use those Jedi senses of yours to see through objects?" he asked warily. "Because wearing pants doesn't seem to make much of a difference." Keeve gave his zipper a smart tug, then reached for his shirt from Talara's shoulder. "So...what'll you do when you get out of here? Go back to the Jedi?"

Talara nodded. "If they'll have me back," she said softly. "Otherwise, I'm not sure."

"Well, if they don't, you can..." His words were muffled by the shirt going over his head. When it poked through the opening, his hair was a mess, but he finished with, "Stay with Maeren and I for a while, just until you figure things out."

"Really? Even...even though I've got a big crush on you and everything?"

He smirked. "You and Maeren would get along just fine, then."

Talara grinned at him. "Does...does Merrick come by to see you...I mean, ever? I don't want...like...well... well, maybe I would like it, but...oh Keeve. It's all so confusing. Please...just tell me it'll be fine."

"Talara," he sighed, and finally pulled her into an embrace, if only to end her rambling. "It'll be fine," he whispered. "Just worry about getting out of here, and the rest will work itself out."

She hugged him, taking comfort from the embrace. It helped to calm her, to find her center. It wasn't meditation, but it definitely helped. "Alright," she said softly. "We'll get out of here, and we'll get away from them."

Holding her shoulders, he held her gently back and smiled. "Are we ready, then? It's your lead, Talara. This is your moment of redemption."

Talara looked up into Keeve's eyes and nodded. "Yes," she said. "I'm ready. I won't fail. I'll get us out of here."

His lopsided grin returned to imbue her with fortitude. "That's what I like to hear. And if you do, I promise to give you one kiss...." Leaning in to brush his lips against her ear, he added, "Anywhere you want."

Tala shuddered at his words, at the brief touch. When she looked up at him, a smile curling her lips, her eyes held something that was much more than lust. "Alright," she whispered. "I'll get us out of here, I promise." The smile she gave him then was confident and assured, the knowledge from within, through the Force, that they would make it. The Force was with them.

***

Kal'Aran sat at a table. The room was empty of people save for Master Quinlan Vos, perhaps his eldest friend who Kal'Aran knew to be alive and well. He rubbed his chin slowly while considering the recent events.

"You seem troubled, my friend..." Vos commented. But he knew the reason. He just wanted to share thoughts on what was going to happen in a few hours.

"Our course of action is not one to be taken lightly," Kal'Aran replied. "And I'm not sure I am content with what was planned... Perhaps we didn't consider it too thoroughly."

"Yes..." Vos sighed. "Even though we have a republic army on our side, I don't believe it to be easy. They do have guards as well, and though the distraction Major Jaro will create might prove useful, we might still encounter serious confrontation. You heard what Dargus Kandran said. He did not find things to be as easy as he hoped."

Kal'Aran raised an eyebrow. "Dargus Kandran... Let us hope he does not betray us when confronted with Nieme and Dani. They do seem to like their games, Nieme and Dani, don't they?" he inquired.

"And yet you do not believe Dargus to be part of those games..." Quinlan answered. He knew Kal'Aran perhaps too well.

"Yes... He seems to mean well this time. I'm prepared to accept him within our group," Kal'Aran answered. He did believe it, but somehow, he didn't believe Nieme and Dani to surrender.

Almost reading his friend's thoughts, Quinlan nodded slowly. "Let us hope we don't come to a point of being with the need to take lives," he said. Of course he was referring mainly to those of Nieme and Dani, but also to all the other ones as well.

"Yes. And let us hope we maintain ours as well," the other Jedi Master replied. "Conquer defeatism, even though we must also conquer feelings of arrogance and overconfidence."

Vos smiled briefly. "Trust you to honor the Jedi Code, my friend," he said as he patted Kal'Aran on the shoulder.

"Party, Crashing"
by: Leija, with several sundry criminal NPCs

Location: Ord Mantell
Date: Vardis 7, 4 ABY

***

Somewhere in the seamier section of one of Ord Mantell's less reputable cities, a party was just getting started. It was in an elegant room, in one of the planet's famed casinos, commandeered for the night by a human crimelord with a bulging belly, and equally bulging ego.

His name was Fit Gareel. It sounded Rodian, and probably wasn't his real moniker. But it was well known from Bespin to Tae'Karada. He was a dealer of flesh. A slave trader. And one of the Outer Rim's most feared criminals.

And now, he laughed; taking no note of the fact that he had just taken a big bite of a high-piled sandwich. Most of the food fell from his mouth to soil his tunic in his mirth. He was watching a show that sent shivers of pleasure up and down his spine. Across the room, directly in his line of sight, a blue-skinned Twi'lek female was chained, naked, to the wall with her back to him.

And two fierce looking gamorreans were taking great pleasure in whipping her lekku until she wailed in agony, squirming to free herself from her bonds.

But, Gareel was enjoying himself way too much, as were the majority of his guests. Criminals and Bounty Hunters, all of them. They watched as the beastly gamorreans continued to torture the young Twi'lek. Her payment for refusing to pleasure the obese Gareel in one of his kinky, often torturous games.

Gareel howled with glee as a lash fell upon the Twi'lek's back, and her body spasmed in agony.

The huge criminal rose himself, slowly, from his throne-like seat at the far end of the chamber. And, drawing a dagger from his robes, he moved through the crowd of partiers, to stand behind the trembling Twi'lek.

"I don't know if Twi'leks believe in reincarnation..." he sneered into her ear. "But... just incase they do let's have a bit of advice, my lovely. If you do come back as anything nearly as lovely as yourself... remember not to refuse a generous offer. It will go much better for you in the future.... "

The girl gave a muffled yelp as Gareel plunged his dagger into her back. She gasped, as blue Twi'lek blood ran from her mouth.

"Goodnight!" Gareel mocked. He drew the knife out of the girl's wound, and watched her die. Then he laughed. "Alright... how 'bout some music!" he pointed the blade of the knife at a trio of Bith musicians sequestered in one corner of the chamber, and they began playing on command.

Even the emotionless Bith seemed terrified of the hulking Gareel.

"Let's get this party started!!" Gareel bellowed.

And then, as if in answer to his command, the glass of the massive ceiling window above him broke into a thousand pieces. A black-clad, heavily armored form fell through the breach, arms outstretched, a grappling line extending from the back of the newcomer's upperbody armor.

It was a sudden surprise for Gareel's throng, and no one moved for just the brief amount of time Leija, the Chiss Bounty Hunter, needed to draw her weapons. Even as she descended on her grapple, two blasters were pulled with grace and swiftness from holsters on her belt. And she took quick aim, firing off shots left and right as she found her footing on a tabletop.

A quick motion of her right hand, made at the same time that she dispatched one of the gamorreans with an energy bolt to the head, freed Leija of the grappling cable. She leapt from the table, rolling onto the floor, to come up in front of a man, in armor, who appeared to be a security guard of some kind. She put the barrel of one blaster to his chest and fired. The bolt passed through the man, burning a hole in the wall behind him.

Onlookers sprung to life, groping for weapons, or cover; as Leija moved through the crowd, firing shots at anyone who produced a weapon, or made any kind of move against her. Some she wounded, or simply winged. Others, those whom she perceived posed the greatest threat to her reaching her goal, she sent to whatever afterlife they believed in with a shot to the chest, or head.

A blaster shot screamed past her right ear, and she could smell the odor of singed hair. But her face remained expressionless. Unphased.

Leija holstered one blaster, fired off several shots with her other, taking out the other gamorrean, and the main light fixture in the chamber. Sparks showered down on the guests at Gareel's party, as the Bounty Hunter drew a long, curve-bladed sword from a scabbard on her back. Twirling the sword on one hand, she fired another shot from her blaster, hitting a trandoshan who served as one of Gareel's bodyguards on the snout. The reptilian mercenary grabbed his face and grunted in pain.

Leija holstered her second blaster, and took the handle of her sword, two-handed. She jumped onto a table, kicked a scar-faced human out of her way, and then leapt from her perch to land face-to-face with Fit Gareel. The gangster drew a blaster, but Leija swung her blade, and took off his hand before he could fire a bolt.

Her thumb hit a small button on the pommel of the sword, and an almost imperceptible glow of blue ignited to follow the edge of the blade, up one side and down the other.

"Good evening, Mister Gareel.... I've a message... from your wife!!" Leija raised her sword, as a blaster bolt hissed over her head. She dropped the angle of the blade, slightly, and the next blaster shot hit the edge of the sword. The charged monofilament deflected the bolt and sent it into the ceiling above Gareel's head. The gangster was bracing himself against the wall, and holding the bleeding stump that was once his right hand.

"My... wife... ex-wife, you mean.... and I'll see her dead before this night is over..." Gareel panted for breath. "And you with her. I'll see you dead, bitch!"

Leija brought her sword down, in one long, sweeping motion. The blade impacted with the armor that was supposed to protect Gareel's protruding midsection. But with the monofilament charged, the armor did no good. Leija's blade sliced through the armor, and Gareel felt the sudden, burning sensation as the Chiss' weapon found his, or any other man's most vulnerable spot.

Leija twisted her blade and then forced it upwards. Gareel grunted, and choked. He fell forward, impaling himself farther onto the curved blade. Leija's face remained cold and expressionless. "Seems I saw you first," she said, icily.

She yanked the sword from Gareel's body, and brought it up in a sudden motion in front of her face. Swinging it wildly, in short, semi-circular motions she kept one edge of the blade or the other turned outward, to catch blaster bolts as they hurtled towards her. As long as she kept the energy of the monofilament between her and the fierce red heat of the blaster fire she would be alright.

Moving with a cat-like grace, Leija bounded over the dead form of Gareel. Holding her sword in one hand she picked up a whip dropped by one of the gamorreans with the other. And she lashed out with it, catching a chubby gungan guard around the throat with the long lash. She pulled the gungan towards her, banging her forehead off his rumpled snout with enough force to knock him unconscious. He dropped to the floor, and Leija let the whip fly again, this time lashing it around the supports of a table that had become a dangerous vantage point for a human-looking female with a blastrifle. Leija jerked the whip, and the table came down, sending the woman flying into the throng that was now scurrying here and there in a self-induced panic.

There was alcohol aplenty in that room, for the wealthy criminals gathered there to be so easily taken by surprise by one female bounty hunter. And that is what Leija had counted on.

She dropped the whip, and leapt over the gungan. Seeing a gamorrean coming for her with a raised pike, Leija let herself slip to the slick, polished tiles of the chamber floor. Sliding, low, on her back, she passed between the gamorrean's thick legs and as he trained his snout on her, a look of surprise on his face accounting for his slow reaction time, Leija jerked her sword upwards, and dispatched the big green alien to gamorrean heaven. Or, hell, more likely in his case.

Leija rolled aside as the big creature dropped to the floor, and, holding her sword in one hand she drew the blastcarbine the gamorrean carried from his back-holster, lifting it and firing it one-handed.

Her aim wasn't very good, but that didn't matter, as the weapon produced a hail of orangeish blastbolts sufficient enough to make everyone duck their heads behind some kind of cover. Leija returned her sword to its scabbard on her back, turned swiftly, and blew out the doors of the chamber with a volley from the carbine.

A guard, outside the room, caught the butt of the carbine on the nose for his efforts, as he tried to thwart Leija's escape with a "Hey, what's going on here!?"

And the Chiss took off at a sprint, down the ornately decorated corridors of the casino's hotel section.

"Heart to Heart"
By: Laedra Vorrel
Vaya Bek

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

When Vaya and Aurra had returned to the Temple, Vaya was informed that her mentor, Master Vorrel required her presence outside. Vaya bade her friend farewell and went back outside to seek out her Master.

Laedra Vorrel was standing on the cobbled path within the couryard, both hands clasped behind her back as she leaned over a bed of purple zenalia blossoms, the only flowers remaining in the entire garden. Her eyes were closed and her lips were curled into a faint smile at the pleasing bouquet permeating the air. Her dark cape had been discarded, and was neatly draped over the stone bench beside her, even though it was a chill winter's day. Only her tunic, pants, and brown boots remained to shield her against the wind, but the sun's heat seemed all she needed to stay warm.

Still, her cheeks were reddened by the cold wind swirling within the courtyard, and strands of her normally perfectly bound hair had strayed loose to whip against her face. Laedra's smile never faltered. "They're beautiful," Laedra sighed, "aren't they? And resilient. They will continue to bloom until the first snows of winter." Her eyes opened slowly and shifted aside towards Vaya. "Good day, Padawan."

"Good day, Master," Vaya replied with a smile. "Indeed they are beautiful. Nature never ceases to amaze me. I hope I am not too late for you, Master, I was out with Aurra around the Temple grounds."

"Not late," Laedra assured her. "I was merely early." She straightened to her full height and began strolling along the path. Her backwards glance bid Vaya to follow. "Have you been benefiting from our training, Padawan?" she asked.

"Yes, Master," Vaya replied as she followed her mentor, taking in the scene, yet mindful of her teacher. "I have been here but a short while, and always will I have lessons to learn, of course."

"We all do," Laedra informed her. "But I may not always be here to teach you those lessons."

Vaya was silent a moment. She had just begun this new apprenticeship, with this new Jedi Master. "That, Master, is a lesson I have already learned."

"What is, Padawan? Loss?" Laedra smiled faintly. "Yes...that oftentimes is the most important lesson anyone learns. And the most difficult. Although, you know that well, don't you?"

"I have known loss, and yes it has been difficult. I have begun to learn that the Force works in ways I don't know that I will ever fully understand, but it always guides and leads us," Vaya answered. "Still, I have been thinking that experiences make the person, and how we deal with them, learn from them and the Force, must make us better, stronger and wiser, yes Master?"

Laedra nodded wistfully. "I believe that is so. Your wisdom instills me with confidence, Padawan." She stopped and turned to stand before Vaya. Her expression was severe. "You are one of the oldest Padawans here, Vaya, and that's why, if I don't return, if many of the other Masters don't return, I would like you and Aurra to look out for the younger children. They will quickly stray without guidance, and we have already seen the devastation wrought by those who have fallen from the light."

Vaya raised an eyebrow. She had felt a sensation of gratitude and positivity from her mentor's comment, and yet a sense of dread with the ending of her comment.

"Master?" Vaya asked. "What is going on?"

"Nothing you need concern yourself with," Laedra replied gently. "We are peacekeepers, Padawan, and as such we are sometimes called into battle to defend what we hold dear. It is the nature of such battles that oft times sacrifices are made, lives are lost." She smiled at her Padawan's look of dismay. "It isn't a time of sadness, Vaya, especially when one is risking their life for a good cause."

"I know, Master, I hope all goes well, and I shall look after the others as you have requested. I..." she replied, stopping before she finished. Her relationship with her mentor had just begun, she wasn't afraid, but she was fearful of losing her new master. She had begun to take a liking to the woman, and knew she would learn much from her. "May the Force be with you, Master, may the Force be with you all."

Laedra bowed her head in gratitude. "While I'm here, however, shall we take a walk through the forest for one final training session before I must depart?"

Vaya smiled. "Of course, Master."

Through the courtyard gates, they were met with a frigid gale that slapped at Laedra's robes and pulled at Vaya's loose hair. Laedra trembled at the sense of foreboding that accompanied it. "Come," she muttered to Vaya, gazing warily with her eyes and her Force senses around the forest. "I think some meditation is in order." She dropped a hand to her lightsaber and started into the thick forest.

Vaya did not like the sense she felt that accompanied her master's words. Meditation indeed, Vaya thought to herself as she followed her Master's lead. Vaya stretched out with her feelings, becoming attuned to the living Force.

"The wind, Padawan Bek," Laedra said quietly, as if speaking any louder would disturb whatever spirits inhabited the forest, "is like the Force in the way it flows, in its ability to creep into even the tiniest of places. And just as with the Force," she whispered absently, still cautiously moving forward, "it too can carry with it ill-omens that you can feel in your bones. You must never ignore such feelings, Padawan. Never."

"Never," Vaya whispered softly in reply as she followed her mentor cautiously, being mindful of her surroundings, both with the Force and her own natural senses.

Silence between them reigned for the duration of the trek, until they broke free of the trees and entered the clearing dominated by the Temple's waterfall. Laedra's sense of foreboding passed. The upcoming mission had her far more tense than she would prefer. "Tell me, Padawan...what was the most important thing your master taught you before you parted?" She stopped at the edge of the reservoir and turned to Vaya.

"To trust in the Force, Master Vorrel," Vaya answered as she took in the sight, letting the Force flow through her, to feel her surroundings. "That the Force is the Jedi's ally, it is to us as the water is to fish, as the air is to the bird, and so much more. He taught me that anyone can be of righteous intent, that anyone can wield a weapon for freedom, anyone can do good for those who would be wronged," Vaya continued. "A Jedi though has much more responsibility, to the galaxy, to those we would swear to protect, and to ourselves. As you have told me, Master, to never ignore, for the Force is like the center of our very being."

Vaya stood silent for a moment. "I can reiterate many lessons, of course, I admit that I have much to learn of the Force and the ways of the Jedi to fully understand all of what words as those mean."

"Words are sometimes meaningless, Padawan," Laedra pointed out sagely. "They are simply our way of expressing what are sometimes inexplicable concepts. Only by truly experiencing can we know what it all means." Then, a gentle ripple of laughter issued from Laedra, and her eyes softened. "But, this night shouldn't be filled with thought puzzles and indecipherable riddles, should it?" Waving Vaya forward, Laedra tucked her legs beneath her and knelt upon the ground.

Vaya smiled at her Master. She was more at ease to see her mood lighten from what it had been earlier.

"Do you know of the Ancients?" Laedra asked quietly.

Vaya didn't think she had the first clue as to what Laedra was asking about.

"No," she answered. "I don't believe I have heard of them. Is it something native to this world, Master?"

Laedra smiled. "To the Temple, yes. They were the first inhabitants of this place that is now our home, and their essence still lingers here. If you clear your mind and open yourselves to their Force presence, you can feel them." She sighed with remembrance at the aid they had offered the Temple during the fierce battle of months ago, and the tenuous connection she still had with them. "They were Jedi of a sort, but their beliefs and methods were slightly different. Their belief was that we are the Force, and that we need only accept that to transcend our mortal limitations. They were truly powerful beings."

Vaya was quite interested in hearing of these Ancients. She enjoyed learning anything of the Jedi's past. She thought she would like to look into this aspect of those who her Master called the Ancients. She closed her eyes and connected with her surroundings, her master, and herself, as she awaited her mentor's lead.

"Their language is not of our own," Laedra continued in a serene tone to her Padawan. "But once our minds were opened, that was no longer a barrier. The flowing of thoughts was all we required to learn from them. Unity in all things is most important, Vaya; it is the truest way to communicate when words do not suffice. That in itself is was just one of their many teachings."

"What became of these Ancients, Master?" Vaya asked.

She sighed. "I'm not quite certain, Padawan. I have yet to completely decipher their texts, but some of the accounts suggest they transcended to pure Force energy and that energy permeated the very stone that makes up this Temple. Another possibility is that they simply left this world and travelled the galaxy in search of another." Laedra smiled enigmatically. "An intriguing mystery, isn't it?"

Vaya nodded with wonder. "Indeed. I see I have much to meditate upon this day."

Thinking to what awaited herself and the other masters tomorrow, Laedra sighed. "As do I, Padawan. As do I."

Vaya bowed her head slightly. She felt some apprehension as to whatever duty her master and the other Jedi were to face. She felt it must be of great importance for her master to instruct her as she had. A part of Vaya desired to go with her master, to be at her side as a Padawan should be. However, another part of her accepted the fact that she would not be, by her master's wisdom and desire for her to help look after the younger students.

If great danger is indeed what they face, Vaya thought to herself, Then the next generation of students must be looked after.

"Business of War"
by Jadda the Hutt
Nieme Yaresh
Dani
and Major Jaro [NPC]

Location: Jadda's Palace, New Plouton
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

The room was empty save for the large Hutt, a protocol droid, Jadda's personal guard and the man who stood before them. Seemingly a New Republic officer, he was nothing as such. And the Hutt knew, for he had hired his services.

"H'chu apenkee shapa-keesay. Ha wonky jedai bedwana bunko bargon?" Jadda asked. The droid by his side gave the translation, so it would be understood. "Master Jadda greets you, shape-shifter, and asks if the mighty Jedi buy into the Palace bargain."

"Tell his esteemed magnificence, that the mighty Jedi have indeed bought in. They shall strike themselves, of course, being the arrogant self servers they are, while they demand I and my forces remain outside in the event of escape," Jaro replied with a respectful bow to Hutt.

The Hutt laughed for a few seconds. "Jedi stoopa..." he said. "Wanga bolla azalus tula moosta um hodrudda jedai! Dopa-maskey shapa-keesay dopa-meeky jedai an granee goo... Moulee-rah chuba!" he laughed. The droid standing beside the Hutt translated. "Master Jadda has decided to turn guns against the Jedi in a hazardous way. This way we take money and power from the Jedi and the empresses at the Palace."

"The one called Blair," Jaro informed, "has given me information on secret accesses to the Palace, your Greatness. Already do I have forces in positions outside the Palace grounds, awaiting orders. What would you have me do, Jadda?"

"Je bargon granee Nieme um Dani che porkman hulpa. Che che copah!" Jadda laughed. "Chuba blastoh jedai che che copah..." The droid translated. "Master Jadda will bargain with Empresses Nieme and Dani for a big time support...for a price. And for that price you are to blast the Jedi."

Jaro grinned with delight. "Blast the Jedi! Indeed! What of their brats at the Temple, Oh Great One?"

"Nobata use hacoo hoohah jedai masters... Let hoohah bolla...che now," the Hutt replied. The translation came once more from the droid. "Master Jadda states that without their Jedi Masters, they are of no use. You are to let them go...for now."

"As you wish, Most Benevolent One," Jaro replied with a bow.

Jadda nodded once and waved his arm, dismissing the fake so-called Major Jaro. Once Jaro was gone he had a screen pop up slowly, after touching a padd. It made a direct connection to the palace in Arcadia.

"Ahh... Granee Dani um Nieme," he said as he licked himself once, obviously pleased with the sight of the two girls who seemed to wear scarce clothing. He had decided to speak to them directly. "I have new deal for you... Profitable one."

Dani sat forward from the throne where she sat. "Profitable," she purred, "one of my favourite words, Great One. Though, not as favourite as orgasm, but that's beside the point." She shifted again, giving the Hutt more than an eyeful. "I can't wait to hear about this new deal."

"It concerns the palace. What if I told you I can give you details of the imminent attack by your former companions, the so much revered Jedi?" he asked.

Nieme snorted, her hand absently stroking Dani's leather-clad thigh. "We are already aware of the looming peril, Mr. Worm," she drawled. "We are creatures of the darkness, after all."

"But you don't have details, my dear..." Jadda said with a vicious smile. "And I am not referring to the attempt by Dargus Kandran who stole one of your girls from you but left his other companion behind. Oh yes, I have my ways to learn things as well. And as for you, little girl, show more gratitude and manners. You are where you stand because I aided you, make no mistake!" he then warned her. "Now...Do we have business or do you not care to know the exact plans of the Jedi?"

Nieme sighed airily and gestured lazily for Jadda to proceed. "If you wish to help us, who are we to refuse?" Her smile was sardonic and irreverent.

"Help... No. Business, young girl," Jadda corrected with a laugh. How stupid of her to think that a Hutt would help anyone for no apparent reason. "I'm here to offer you the chance of buying the information I give you. And for the right price, I will add an extra for you. And I assure you that you will not regret it."

Narrowing her eyes, Nieme leaned in towards the holovid display and sneered, "We're the rulers of this planet. Why should we have to pay you anything? We own you, Hutt. We own everyone on this rock!"

Jadda laughed loudly. "You own nothing of what is mine, ignorant little girl! In fact, you own little as it currently is... And you will own even less than that if you don't decide to do business," he warned her as he pointed his finger at the screen. "I'm more than twenty times your age, and obviously smarter. Now, let me tell you that even rulers have to conduct business. Otherwise they lose power."

Jadda then turned to Dani. "Perhaps you ought to grant Nieme some advice. She seems unable to have manners to others. Not fitting of an Empress. But...if you're not willing to do business, then you might not be rulers for long anyway," he commented in a lazy fashion.

"Oh, I'm quite certain we'll remain in power for quite some time," Dani said. "But, you do have a point. Every leader needs alliances. How much are you asking for this information? I am certain we can reach an agreement, but we must be able to evaluate the data in some manner before prices are set. I don't wish to say that I don't trust you, but I hope you can appreciate someone in our place requiring caution when dealing with situations such as this."

Jadda nodded. "Did you know that there are secret ways to get inside the Palace? Ways that don't even require someone to near the Palace? Why, someone could easily get inside without having to pass its grounds! Not to mention the passages from room to room... I'm sure you aren't aware of them, for no one knows save a certain Jedi named Alisson Blair. And she delivered that piece of information to me even though she does not realise it," Jadda laughed. "The Jedi will be using this to be able to enter the Palace. Knowing the ways inside will prove useful to counter their measures... Ten million credits. A reasonable price, and one you can pay from the Palace vaults. I like round numbers."

Nieme hissed. "So that's how they're planning on doing it?" She slammed a fist down onto the armrest of her throne, then thrust a finger at the vidscreen, towards Jadda. "You get five million and a promise of future business with us." She smirked. "And we promise to overlook any indiscretions on your part that would otherwise require us to seek military intervention against you."

Jadda laughed. "May I remind you that I gave you the military aid you now have?! Don't play me for a fool, Empress Nieme, and don't act like one either! It does not suit you! Eight million with your promise for future business, and I shall throw in the help of a whole New Republic army power, since I have their leading officer at my disposal. And he can be at yours too, should you accept these conditions."

"You did provide us with a few people," Dani answered. "But, I assure you the palace guard, who are now completely loyal to us, are more than sufficient. Five million and future business dealings. And, while you claim to have the whole New Republic army at your disposal, I sense falsehood in your statement. We do not pay for false promises. One officer may be loyal to you, but there are chains of command, and I have my doubts that the New Republic would serve your whims, or ours. Do not let your greed get the better of you, Jadda. This five million can become so much more; don't throw away this opportunity."

"It is you who are throwing it away. I hold the best cards in my hand as it is. You need the information I have, plus the help I can offer," Jadda argued somewhat amused. "Besides, the palace vaults should be filled with much greater quantities than the one I am asking for... What is it to you to pay eight million credits?!"

"You sound like a greedy beggar, Jadda," Nieme spat with disgust. "This isn't a matter of credits, it's a matter of principle and domination. We will not submit to you, Jadda. Five million now, and if your information proves wholly valuable, we will consider paying you a full eight million. But nothing more."

Jadda thought for a moment and laughed. "Very well. I'm sure you will be paying the eight million. Major Jaro will be your wild card against the Jedi and he will have the command of the New Republic army. Also, I have detailed information of the secret entrances to the Palace and will let you know which ones the Jedi will be using," he said as he pressed a button to have the credits transfer information. "As soon as I have confirmation, I shall deliver you all the information on the palace and the imminent attack."

"Perhaps," Dani said with a seductive smile, "you could do something about the Jedi while they're attacking us? I'm certain they'll leave their little Padawans behind when they attack. And, you know what they say...a little Padawan grows up to be a big Jedi. Either that, or maybe Major Jaro's troops can attack the Jedi from behind when they get here. We can crush them between our forces."

"All the Jedi are going, meaning only Padawans remain. And without a teacher the student can never learn. It would not be wise to kill them. Be best to lure them after dealing with their masters, so you ought to be concentrating solely on the Jedi," Jadda said. "As for Major Jaro, yes, he will be blocking the path of the Jedi and crush them between forces. So, do we have a deal?"

"I know what's best for me," Dani answered. "I know what's best for our ruling of this planet. If we leave the children in the Temple, any Jedi that do make it out alive -- and if you don't plan for that contingency, you're a fool -- will return to them. I want the Temple attacked when the Jedi attack us. If you are too much of a coward to make that sort of bold move on your own, then I'll see to it myself."

"I deal in warfare, but I don't deal in war itself, Empress," Jadda pointed out. "There is a difference between the two. What I do is business of war. Simple and plain business. If you want an army to attack the Temple, then I can arrange for one to do your bidding and attack it. But for that, you would be paying me the ten million and not the five you offer, with the added bonus of a possible eight."

"But you'd be doing it for yourself as much as you'd be doing it for us," Nieme purred. "The Jedi have gotten in your way more than once, haven't they? Attempting to relieve you of your fairly earned spoils?" Nieme's lips curled sharply. "Raeila Mullerin... Whatever happened to her, I wonder? Perhaps," she sighed, "you should ask the Jedi."

"Raeila Mullerin was sold," Jadda corrected. "And the Jedi had little to do with it. What her new owner did with her or not, that is beyond my care. I got a very large sum for selling her, and I chose the money. No woman is valued that much!" he laughed. "Besides, not being directly involved is the best way to profit from war itself. So, my offer stands as it was. As for the Jedi Temple, either you do it yourself, or you pay up the ten million and I'll get an army to do it for you. Your choice."

"Not getting directly involved allows you to stay in the middle of the conflict and work both sides," Dani said, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "It allows you to profit from both sides, at the expense of both sides. And, while you sell out the Jedi now, I can't help wondering what information about us you're trying to sell them. Some might call such actions traitorous...perhaps even treasonous." She leaned forward and the room seemed to get darker. "You'll receive five million credits and our thanks. Perhaps we might be able to do business with you in the future, Jadda the Hutt, but only in matters where your natural inclination for betrayal will be unable to come into play. We value loyalty; and we know that your only loyalty is to the credits sitting in your vaults. Know this, Jadda Hutt, if we are betrayed, you will pay the price. Don't think that you are playing with two little girls. We are empresses with the full power to destroy you, or at least leave you destitute...though, I believe you would prefer death to such a situation, wouldn't you? Think hard on where your loyalties lie, Jadda Betrayer. Loyalty to us will bring you riches unknown. Remember that." And, with that, she waved a hand toward the comm unit, and the link was severed. She turned to Nieme. "He will need to be watched."

"Closely," Nieme mused. "I'm certain we can have an informant infiltrate his palace." Nieme grinned slowly, stroking her chest languidly. "I have the perfect person for the task, too. She could use some time away from us to prove her worth."

"Yes," Dani said with a venomous smile. "She'll be perfect. We should send her right away, especially with her growing attachment to Keeve."

"Then we'll see how confident that fat slug is," Nieme drawled.

They would take down each of their enemies one at a time, and would do so using stealth and cunning as opposed to brute force. Their days as reckless, head-strong children was over; it was time to use their intelligence and the dark power they held to truly become threats. As empresses, they had a certain equanimity and poise to convey to the world of Tae'Karada, as any great leaders should. But with the downfall of the Jedi and the Hutt, they would instill fear in their people and dissuade any from standing in their way.

"Walking to the Light"
by Daemor'rah
and Commander Dynn [NPC]
plus an appearance by Aurra Sgall

Location: Garqi System
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

"My very dear Aurra,

The indications are very strong that I shall move in a few days, perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to send you another message, I feel impelled to say a few words that may reach you.

I have no misgivings about a lack of confidence in the cause in which I am now engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. How great a debt I may owe to those who went before me through the blood and suffering. I am willing, perfectly willing to lay down all my joys in this life to pay that debt.

But something whispers to me that I shall return to my loved ones, unharmed. If I do not, my dear Aurra, never forget how much I love you. And when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield it will whisper your name..."

The twi'lek girl turned the holo-message she had received off. A tear strolled down her cheek slowly, but it was not a tear of sorrow. It was perhaps a tear of joy for knowing that her friend had truly decided to undergo whatever path was necessary to redeem herself and come back... Back to the light.

***

Location: Outer Space, Garqi System

A TIE Fighter scorched its way through space, followed by two TIE Interceptors who came in right behind it. It was a pursuit.

"Commander Dynn, surrender your vessel immediately!" one of the Imperial pilots said as he opened communication with the TIE Fighter they were pursuing.

"Blast!" the Imperial Commander, now on the run, cursed. He tried to outrun them, but they were too close.

"Commander, this is your final warning. Surrender or we will destroy you!" the pilot insisted.

"I hope you've had a lot of time on the sim!" the Commander replied as he spun his TIE Fighter around and came in right across and between the two TIE Interceptors, with a spinning motion. With that stunt he was able to make them separate and he picked one of them for trailing. With an almost immediate lock, he only needed to fire a couple of times to make the TIE Interceptor a pile of space junk.

The second TIE Interceptor was coming in for a close when Commander Dynn had his TIE Fighter turn heads on. They were both coming against each other really fast, but instead of deviating his path, the former Imperial Commander shot his cannons, blasting the second TIE Interceptor to dust.

However, he was not so lucky when passing through what had been the second TIE Interceptor and got hit by a few of its pieces. The nav-computer beeped, warning him of a hull breach and consequent system failure. His best choice was the nearby planet of Garqi.

***

Location: Garqi Forest

A stormtrooper was standing watch in the tower of the small Imperial outpost. He saw a ball of fire coming into atmosphere and recognized it as a small ship, even though he couldn't tell what type.

"TK-124 to base. I have a crashed vessel on sector 14. Repeat, sector 14!" he said as he picked up his comm unit.

"Affirmative TK-124. Recon en-route, over," came the reply.

***

Location: Garqi Mountains

As he woke up he saw a woman. She didn't seem one of the local humans, and he didn't know who he could trust, if anyone at all. He took his concealed dagger and pointed it at her as she wiped his sweat off his forehead.

Raising her arms, she spoke softly. "Relax. Your head has been banged up pretty good," she explained. "Now, why don't you put that down?" she suggested as she pushed it softly away.

The Imperial Commander tried to get up but the pain made him lie back down again. He then looked back at the woman and sighed. "Thank you... err..."

"Daemor'rah," the woman nodded.

"Thank you, Daemor'rah," he repeated. "Where am I?"

"The planet Garqi," she replied. "The Force was certainly with you when you crashed," she told him with a smile as she picked up a cup. "Here, drink this. It will make you feel better."

He took a sip and then lied back down. "You a doctor of some sort?" he asked.

She laughed shortly at his question. "No, not as such. But I have been doing first aid to myself for a long time, so I guess I know a thing or two. Gladly for both of us you didn't need a real doctor... You're an Imperial Officer aren't you?"

"Yeah, I was part of an Imperial convoy that was jumped by a rebel patrol. I got shot down..." he lied, even though he sounded convincing.

She lifted her head up for a moment and breathed deep. "Well, that explains it then..."

"What?"

"There's a squad of Stormtroopers outside, looking for you..." she told him. She knew he had lied, but wouldn't call him a liar. It was obvious he wasn't with the Imperials.

The Commander sighed and got up slowly, making his way outside. He looked over his shoulder and back at Daemor'rah.

"You want me to come with you?" she asked plainly.

But the ex-Imperial officer didn't reply. He dismissed her with a wave of the hand and went outside. For a moment, Daemor'rah considered the possibilities.

Going outside and helping the man seemed the most reasonable thing to do. He was obviously in trouble with the Empire, even though he was supposedly part of their ranks. Helping the Empire didn't seem something she would now do. But he didn't seem a regular Imperial officer... She made her mind and got up.

As Daemor'rah was walking outside, she heard one of the stormtroopers shouting, and the sound of the blasters couldn't be confused. "Blast him!" the leader of the Stormtroopers yelled. But Dynn had already taken a weapon off one of the guards and shot him and another stormtrooper.

Before the third stormtrooper could get a clear shot, Daemor'rah came out with her lightsaber already in hand. The blaster shot would have hit Dynn for sure, but a mere second before that there was a hiss-like sound, and Daemor'rah had blocked the shot, sending it back to the stormtrooper. Gladly, it was only a stun shot. But the trooper was down, as were the others.

Dynn was now pointing his weapon at Daemor'rah, but he wasn't sure of her true intentions. Still, any woman who carried weapons, was definitely not to be trusted. Not in his view of things.

"So, this is the thanks I get? After saving your life...twice?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"How do I know I can trust you?" he asked with a frown.

"I haven't killed you yet, have I? Nor did I help the Imps here..." Daemor'rah argued. "I'm the best ally you'll get around these parts. And it seems you can use an ally at this point."

"Maybe you're right... Do you have a ship that can take us out of here?" Dynn asked.

"No. But maybe we can get one to take us. Come. Let's go," she said as she led the way.

"You're a Jedi, aren't you?" Dynn asked as he followed her lead. But Daemor'rah didn't answer. She merely smiled.

***

Location: SD Novalight, Outer Space, Garqi System

The Admiral stood in the bridge, overlooking the planet. An officer came forward and announced the arrival of a Lieutenant. Apparently one whom the Admiral was waiting for.

"Lieutenant Bora, you reported that Commander Dynn escaped the TIE Interceptors we sent after him? That he destroyed them?" the Admiral asked simply.

"Yes, sir!" the Lieutenant replied.

"He survived the encounter. His ship crashed on the planet Garqi..."

"Sir, I'm curious as to how he managed to escape from two of our best trained pilots..." the young Lieutenant commented. "Weren't they from Captain Nassen's squadron?"

"They were..." the Admiral nodded coldly. "But Captain Nassen has failed us for the last time, and was dealt with accordingly. Which leaves me with you, Lieutenant. Upon viewing your record, I see you have never failed a mission. Impressive."

"Thank you, sir!" she Lieutenant replied.

"Are you aware of Commander Dynn's record?" the Admiral asked.

"No, sir."

"Before the death of Emperor Palpatine, Dynn was part of an elite team. Disrupting trade negotiations... Kidnapping counselors and ambassadors... That sort of thing," the Admiral explained. "Dynn was the best on his team."

"Then why are we after him, sir?"

"Rebellion may cause a man to question his chain of command. Dynn didn't like the answers he was given, and thus deserted," the Admiral replied. "He knows our tactics, our codes and battle plans. Your mission, Lieutenant, is to capture Commander Dynn and bring him to me. Dead or alive..."

"Yes, sir!"

"Promotions come quick in the Empire. Succeed and I will see to it that you make Captain," the Admiral told him.

The Lieutenant looked over for a split second and grinned. "Yes, sir!"

"Commander Dynn cannot join the Rebellion. Dismissed!" the Admiral waved off.

***

Location: Garqi Forest

"You know, I'm curious... What is a Jedi doing in a remote place like this?" Dynn asked as they walked through the forest.

"When I came here, I longed to find some peace and calm to meditate on my most recent past. Perhaps on my whole life..." she told him as she thought about herself. "But living among the small communities here seemed inappropriate as they all seemed too suspicious. Plus I needed the quiet, so I found that the mountains served my purpose quite well. But it seems that staying here is no longer a reasonable choice. Not with the Empire around. Besides, they would be too interested now that I helped you escape!"

"Well, I'm not planning on staying for long," Dynn said.

"We're close to the Space Station. Come," she motioned. Alas, only a few steps afterwards, she came to a stop and help her hand high as if to tell Dynn to stop as well. "Something's not right..." she whispered.

But as she said so, four Stormtroopers seemed to come out of nowhere. They had their blaster rifles pointed at them both and surrounded them. "Arrest them!" one of the stormtroopers said.

"The hell you will!" Dynn replied as he shot his blaster, immediately killing one of the stormtroopers and taking cover behind a nearby tree.

Daemor'rah had her lightsaber in hand. She used the Force to feel the shots and sent them back. With a thought, she Force pushed the blasters off two of the stormtroopers' hands and sent a shot back at the third one standing, knocking him out. As for the two remaining ones, she Force pushed them so hard against a tree that they were knocked out cold.

When Dynn popped back out, there were no more stormtroopers to fight.

***

Location: Garqi Spaceport

A stormtrooper approached Lieutenant Bora. The Lieutenant looked at him and saluted. "Report?"

"The villagers are under guard and awaiting transport. The bombers are en-route to destroy the area," the stormtrooper replied.

"E.T.A.?" the Lieutenant asked.

"Twenty-five minutes, sir."

"Very well... Make sure that Commander Dynn finds his way here, as does his new rebel friend," the Lieutenant demanded.

"Yes, sir!"

The Lieutenant then watched the transports as they launched into the air. Inside them were all the villagers, which left the spaceport empty except for stormtroopers and himself. When Dynn arrived he wouldn't stand a chance. There were two transports rising, but Bora was curious as to why his own shuttle was also leaving with the two transports.

"Where is the shuttle going? I have not given permission nor orders for it to go!" the Imperial Lieutenant rasped.

"Sir, we shall try communication with them at once!" the stormtrooper said as he picked up a comm unit. Alas, his attempts were futile. "Sir, they are not responding."

"You fool! Dynn has somehow gotten into that shuttle! And now we're stuck here with the bombers coming. Call them off! Have them intercept that shuttle!" the Lieutenant rasped.

"Yes, sir!"

***

Location: Outer Space, Garqi System

The TIE Bombers were coming, but they were too far off to reach them before they engaged in hyperspace. Dynn relaxed after having pulled the throttle and seeing the stars all become a blur before entering the blue-like corridor that one seemed to see when in hyperspace.

"I never thought we'd make it... How did you convince that guard to let us pass like that?" he asked Daemor'rah.

The white skinned woman smiled. "You'd be surprised of much influence the Force can have over the weak-minded," she told Dynn.

"So, you are a Jedi!" he smirked.

"No... Not yet..." she smiled. "Not yet."

"Pieces of the Puzzle, Part 1"
By: Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth
Leshie Zaneth
Yara Zaneth
Va'Lesh Zaneth
Shaza Nightshade
Orinth [NPC+]

Location: En Route to Tae'Remok system; Jedi Temple
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

Liam stepped into the room, a tray of food held in one hand, and a holochip in the other. Yelara was seated on the bed with Va'Lesh happily kicking his feet into the air at her side. It had been three days since she miraculously returned to life, though Liam wasn't so certain it was a miracle. It was the Force. He set the tray beside her and then joined her, being careful not to sit too close. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

Va'Lesh's hand curled around one pale finger as Yelara held it out to him. Despite his infectious laughter, she didn't smile, although she seemed to have taken an instant liking to the boy. Va'Lesh was the only one she even looked at, but she still spoke not a word even to him. The only sounds she ever made were the screams that woke Liam at night. When he attempted to comfort her on each occasion, she stared through him instead of acknowledging his presence. As she was now.

Although she also paid no heed to the food he left for her three times a day, once he returned to retrieve each tray upon depositing the next, he always encountered them empty and Va'Lesh with noticeable traces of each meal around his mouth. He couldn't be certain whether she had stuffed their child full of the entire meal, or whether the two had shared it. Either way, both were looking healthier by the day.

Va'Lesh squealed as he managed to clutch a handful of Yelara's dangling curls. Even as he tugged painfully on them, her expression remained neutral.

As he watched her, Liam reached out through the Force to Yelara, as he'd done so many times, to check on her health and strength. Her body itself was regenerating rapidly - the Doctor had done his job well. The seams on her abdomen remaining from the skin graft were knitting well and the internal damage inflicted by Dargus' lightsaber had been repaired. There was no sign of the child she had been carrying at the time of her death, but there was no way of knowing whether she remembered ever conceiving one. Liam wondered if she remembered anything at all, not when he sensed the large void in her mind. Her brain itself seemed intact, but he encountered numerous gaps when he explored her mind. There was no way of knowing if she even recalled who she was.

"I'm Liam," he said. He held out the small chip and pressed the activation dot on the side. In the air between them, images began appearing. As he held it steady, the chip showed images from their life, clicking past every couple seconds, to display for her the life they had shared.

She seemed unmoved by the visual history of their life, their love; Va'Lesh occupied her focus. Her finger, released from his grasp, moved to Va'Lesh's plump cheek and stroked it idly. His arms flapped happily.

Liam sighed, he couldn't help it. He could find no guidance through the Force, and Yelara seemed to not even realize he was there. Perhaps he had been wrong, perhaps bringing Yelara back to this life, to this existence had been selfish and wrong. But to see how happy Leshie was, to see how much she was fascinated by him. But was she? He sighed again. "If there's anything you need, please...let me...know." But she wouldn't, she hadn't. He turned away and returned to the doorway, stopping momentarily to watch her.

Leshie was looking up at her raptly, and she was gazing down at him. It was faint, but her lips were moving slightly in an approximation of speech. Va'Lesh giggled, presumably at something she had shared with the child. He was kicking wildly again and waving his arms faster and faster. There was a shriek - from Va'Lesh, or Yelara, Liam couldn't discern - as the child threw himself off balance in his excitement, rolling him off the bed. Yelara lunged with arms outstretched to encircle Leshie with them, but she only squeezed air as he plummeted. That was when she found her voice. "Va'Lesh!"

He sensed the danger to his son immediately. Liam Zaneth reached out a hand and summoned a cushion of Force beneath Leshie, cradling him before he could hit the floor. Focusing his thoughts, he then lifted the little one up and moved him into Yelara's outstretched arms. He gave them both a loving smile.

With only a whimper to convey the fright of his near-fall, Leshie buried his face into Yelara's bosom as she cuddled him tightly to her. The first expression to colour Yelara's face appeared as she gazed across the room at Liam: relief, and with a gentle smile, gratitude. Then she closed her eyes and pressed her lips to Leshie's crown.

He crossed over to her again and returned to his seat at her side. "It'll all be alright," he whispered, then kissed her forehead. "Everything will work out, my love."

She noticeably shrank away from Liam, protectively moving Leshie away from him. But with as untrusting of Liam as she was, he was still rewarded with a whispered, "Thank...you."

"You're welcome," Liam answered softly.

Then, again, silence prevailed, save for intermittent coos and gibbering from Leshie. And in that time, they seemed for all the universe like the normal, happy family they had once been.

Liam couldn't help wondering if they would ever truly be that family again. He reached out slowly to take her hand in his, but in the end, decided she wasn't ready. He smiled at her, musing over the little progress they'd made in the last couple minutes. She could still speak, did still know the words. It was a start. He indicated the food. "Are you hungry?"

With her lips against Leshie's ear, she relayed the same question quietly to the child. Taking her cues from Leshie, who seemed more interested in twirling Yelara's hair around his stubby fingers, she declined with a slow shake of her head.

Liam smiled. "You're looking healthier with each passing hour," he said. "I'm happy for that."

She flinched as a voice rang out through the commsystem. Sensing his mother's discomfiture, Leshie fussed.

"Master," Yara said in her customary flat tone, "please come to the cockpit."

"On my way," Liam answered after clicking on the system. He turned to Yel. "You'll be alright here? Good." With a slight stab of fear, he stood and started up to the cockpit.

Leshie burbled at Liam, leaving Yelara to translate. "He says...says don't be long."

Liam turned back and smiled. "I promise I won't," he said. Then slipped out the door after giving his wife and son a fond smile.

"Don't worry," Yelara murmured to her son when Liam was long gone, "it will be alright soon." She pressed her cheek to his brow and gazed through the viewport at the streaking stars. "Soon," she whispered, "we'll find daddy. Then we'll be a family again."

***

"Master," Yara greeted when Liam stepped into the cockpit. She was wearing her Jedi robes and was seated in the co-pilot's chair, while Shaza occupied the other. "Ms. Nightshade said we are ready to drop from hyperspace."

"Very good," Liam said. "Everything looks normal?"

"According to Ms. Nightshade," Yara affirmed.

"Good," he said. "Do you need me here, Yara? Until we get down and can make sure Yelara is safe, I want to keep watch over her and Leshie."

Yara paused, watching Liam impassively. "No," she answered. "We do not need you, Father." Then she turned her back to him.

As Liam began to read more into her words, he chided himself for being paranoid. "Thank you," he said, then started back toward the small cabin he shared with Yelara and Leshie.

"So it is true, then," Yara observed after Liam's departure. "Va'Lesh and I are on our own."

Shaza turned and watched Liam disappear, then looked over to Yara. "I don't believe it is," she said. She put a hand on Yara's shoulder and smiled. "He's just worried about Yelara, that's all. Don't give up before he does."

Yara gazed aside at Shaza and told her dispassionately, "Thank you, Ms. Nightshade. I know Liam Zaneth has abandoned you as well, but Va'Lesh and I are still here."

"I hope that the three of us are able to be friends, despite what happened in our past."

Yara smiled briefly. "Yes, Ms. Nightshade." Then she returned her gaze to the viewscreen.

"Is everything alright," came a familiar voice from behind them as Va'Lesh entered the cockpit. "It's father again, isn't it?"

Yara busied herself with monitoring the ship's systems. "Everything is alright, Va'Lesh. Ms. Nightshade and I were simply speaking."

"Did you wish for me to give you more time to speak?"

"You may join us, Va'Lesh." She glanced over her shoulder at him, and smiled. "We are nearly home."

Va'Lesh looked out the front of the canopy and smiled. "While I have spent very little time there, it does feel like home. I am pleased that we are returning. When we return, we should return to the Jedi Temple and speak with the masters there."

"Perhaps there will be someone to train us when Master Zaneth leaves us," Yara said.

"I am certain there will be a master willing to train us to become Jedi Knights."

Shaza frowned. "Do you have some special Force-sense that guarantees you Liam's abandoning you? He's going through a very difficult time right now. Please, at least give him the chance before you give up hope on him."

"I have not given up on him, Ms. Nightshade," Yara clarified. "I wish him to spend time with Yelara Zaneth and Leshie. I do not want our training to take him away from that."

"But you seem to assume that he will never have time to take up actively training you again."

"We do not know how long it will take for Yelara to return to her natural state," Yara explained. "If we do not find another master, Liam Zaneth may feel he is neglecting us and fail to devote the time required of him to Yelara. That would not be right of us, Ms. Nightshade."

"Once we've landed, and we've settled back to the Temple, you should talk to him, before going off and finding a new teacher. You do owe him that much."

Yara inclined her head. "Yes, Ms. Nightshade."

"He still loves you both very much," Shaza said. "And, he trusts you both. If he didn't, I don't think he'd be as calm as he is right now. Just give him a little bit of time, and...keep up with whatever he was last teaching you." She smiled and added, "And, make sure you meditate frequently. I've heard that's a fairly common thing Jedi do."

"You are quite knowledgeable regarding the Jedi, Ms. Nightshade," Yara commented curiously. "Perhaps you would care to take over our training." With the complete seriousness in expression and tone, it was difficult to discern if Yara was toying with Shaza or not.

"I've picked up some things from Liam in the time I've been with him," Shaza said. "But I wouldn't be qualified to teach you to be Jedi. I'm more than happy to help however you need me to though. I like both you and Va'Lesh, Yara, and...and I enjoy being a part of your life."

She watched Shaza inquisitively. "You do?"

"I do," Shaza said with a smile. "Especially now when we're not constantly fighting with each other."

Yara smiled pointedly. "When you are not trying to manipulate me, you mean, Ms. Nightshade."

"When I'm not trying to manipulate you," Shaza said. "Though, I was only trying to give Liam something he wanted. That and I knew that I could never have what I wanted."

"And what was that?" Yara asked curiously.

Shaza looked at Yara, then away. "I'd rather not say," she said. "In the end, for me, it's better this way, anyway."

Yara looked straight ahead. "I understand, Ms. Nightshade." The ship's indicators began beeping. "We have reached our destination. It is time to come out of hyperspace, Ms. Nightshade."

"That we have," Shaza said, happy for the diversion and change of subject. "Ready to go home?" She gave Yara and Va'Lesh a smile, and reverted them back to normal space. Before them, stretching out into the vastness, was Tae'Remok. She grinned as she spotted Tae'Karada out there. "It's good to be home"

And as much as Yara wished to agree, the uncertainty facing she and Va'Lesh made the sight difficult to enjoy.

***

The ship was landed and they all made their way to the speeder that would take them to the Temple. Shaza walked ahead with Va'Lesh and Yara behind, and Liam, Leshie, and Yelara bringing up the rear. The ride into the forest would be quick and hopefully uneventful.

For a woman who had only recently been deceased, Yelara was steady on her feet, even with Leshie in her arms. She had refused to hand him over to Liam for the walk, and despite the overtaxing experience of carrying a child of his size, Yelara showed no signs of wavering.

Yara gazed up at Va'Lesh after watching Yelara for a time, and whispered, "She appears well enough."

"She does," Va'Lesh answered. "Though, I sense an...an absence when I try to sense her. Do you?"

"She does not speak," Yara affirmed. "She only sees Va'Lesh, it seems. Even Master Zaneth is ignored."

"I sense...a deep concentration in her. She appears to be very focused, similar to how a person might focus on a particular goal."

Yara frowned. "And what is her goal, Va'Lesh?"

"That," he said, a perplexed look playing over his features, "I am unable to discern. Though, I believe we will need to watch her closely."

"What do you think she will do?" Yara asked. She truly was perplexed. "You do not think she would hurt Leshie, do you?"

"I sense no malice on her part," Va'Lesh said. "In fact, I sense a growing love in her for Leshie. And, his love for her is...is quite strong. He knows who she is. I wonder if she would know me in the same way."

Yara smiled. "How could she not, Va'Lesh? You are her son." She gazed at Yelara and Leshie wistfully and wondered, "Would my mother recognize me if we saw one another?"

"I do not know," Va'Lesh said, "but I would hope she would. Perhaps, however, they might not recognize us because we are clones."

"Because we are not really humans?" Yara inquired.

"We are human," Va'Lesh answered. "But, I am uncertain whether the bond we share with our parents remained through the process that brought us to life."

"We were not born, we were made." Yara nodded decidedly. "There is no bond. They did not give us life. Only Dargus can truly claim that."

"At least that is our understanding," Va'Lesh said. "It is my hope though that she might recognize me, even though it is a...an illogical hope."

"It is not," Yara told him firmly and squeezed his hand. "It is my hope, too. Not illogical at all, Va'Lesh."

Va'Lesh smiled at her. "Then it is a good hope. Thank you, Yara. Your wisdom is always welcome to me."

"And I am happy to provide," she answered.

They arrived at the speeder and Shaza was the first to slip inside, taking up the driver's seat. Liam opened the hatch for Yelara, and with her usual dismissal of him, she carefully stepped inside with Leshie still in her arms. Yara and Va'Lesh followed.

As they settled into the speeder, Liam watched Yelara, making certain she and Leshie were secure. She seemed to take no notice of him. It was painful, but he understood. She'd been through much, more than any one person had a right to, but here she was. She needed time, and he'd give her what she needed.

The speeder sped off toward the Temple, and it wasn't long before they were coasting into the clearing in front. Standing outside of the Temple, apparently waiting for them, were Orinth Neerou and Tralesha Zibel, and a very pregnant Jae Dyn Brael and a dark- complected man who was holding her hand.

They all hurried forward as the group inside the speeder piled out.

Yara and Va'Lesh stood to either side of their master obediently, yet Yara's eyes took in her old home, and at once she remembered how content she had been there, at the Temple. Orinth barely glanced at her, but Yara didn't mind; he was far too eager to speak with Liam, and she understood why. Yelara had been his only surviving family member, and Va'Lesh his only great-grandchild. He was understandably anxious to see his great-grandson once again, and to learn what had become of his granddaughter's remains. Yara would catch up with him following the reunion.

"Is Va'Lesh well?" the old man was asking Liam, looking towards the speeder expectantly, but seeing nothing through the darkened transparisteel.

"He's in perfect health," Liam said, smiling at the old man. "There's something else. I can't explain exactly how, but...but Yelara...is alive again. She's not quite herself yet. She was revived only a couple days ago, and I don't believe she has all of her memories back yet. She's getting stronger each hour, but...she only seems to know Leshie. She's inside the speeder with him."

Orinth's wizened face paled and his mouth fell slack. Spotted, trembling hands blindly grasped Liam by the arms, if only to support his wilting body. "Alive?" he breathed, and shifted his tearful gaze towards the speeder. Standing before it was Yelara in a white, flowing dress - the one she had been laid to rest in. Leshie was held against her chest, happily babbling away. Her eyes held no recognition of the old man who stared with such sorrow at her.

Liam could feel Orinth's pain, and it was much like his own. "We hope that, in time, her memories will come back." It was all he could say. Inside, he silently hoped that through some deep bond, as Yel drew closer to him, she would recognize Orinth.

"Pieces of the Puzzle, Part 2"
By: Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth
Leshie Zaneth
Yara Zaneth
Va'Lesh Zaneth
Shaza Nightshade
Orinth [NPC+]
Jae Dyn Brael
Dargus Kandran

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

"Look, Va'Lesh," Yara said aloud, pointing to Jae Dyn and the child in her arms. "It is Yara." She clasped his hand and hurried forward towards the two. The child giggled at their approach and held out her arms to Yara. The young Padawan greeted the child with an embrace. "Yara, we have missed you."

Kallia stared at the young woman before her, unable to pull her eyes from her. "Yara?" She couldn't believe it, but how could she doubt? "Yara?"

Brown eyes identical to her own stared up at Jae Dyn quizzically and with wonder. "I am Yara," the young woman affirmed. "I am Yara's sister."

"I'm...I'm Jae Dyn Brael. Kallia. I'm Yara's mother." Her eyes were filled with wonder as she gazed at the young woman before her. "You're...wow..."

"Jae Dyn Brael," Yara repeated flatly. "You are my mother as well." Taking a step back, she offered Kallia a bow. "It is an honour."

"The honour is mine," Kallia said as she opened one arm to the girl while holding little Yara in the other. "The honour is definitely mine, Yara."

She watched Kallia curiously as she straightened up. Taken aback by the gesture, Yara hesitantly reached out to clasp Jae Dyn's hand. She pumped it slowly in an awkward straight-armed handshake.

Kallia's smile lessened somewhat and there was a tightness around her eyes as she glanced at her side to Dargus who was trying very hard to not look too sheepish.

"They're clones," he said. "Yara is a clone of, well, Yara. And, this young man is a clone of Liam's son."

Kallia glared at Dargus briefly. "We'll talk later," she said.

"Don't be too mad," Dargus said. "That happened when I was still a wicked, evil bastard. I'm one of the good guys now."

Kal's eyes flashed as she said, "We'll see." She then turned back to Yara. "It is very good to meet you, Yara. I hope we can get to know each other...if you would like that."

She smiled and nodded her head emphatically. "It...it has been a wish of mine to know you. I would like to know where I came from."

Kallia nodded at the enthusiasm the seemingly emotionless girl was showing. Impulsively, she stepped forward and hugged Yara with her free arm. "So you're what my little girl will be when she's all grown up." There were tears in her eyes that she blinked away. "My beautiful daughter." With that, she gave Yara a kiss to the forehead.

In all her very short life, Yara could not remember experiencing the warmth that filled her then. She gazed in awe at Kallia, the woman who could inspire such a sensation within her. Defenseless against the outpouring of emotion offered by her mother, Yara sighed softly and slipped her own arms around Kallia's waist, while her head nestled against her mother's bosom. "You are...soft," Yara marvelled quietly.

Kallia laughed softly. "I'm...I'm going to have another baby," she said. "Little Yara and you, you're going to have a brother or sister."

"I have many brothers and sisters already," Yara told her. "Will she look like me, too?"

Kallia smiled and cupped her new daughter's cheek. "We'll just have to see, won't we? It shouldn't be long now before we-- Oh gods--" She suddenly caught a glimpse, over past Yara of a sight she'd never thought she'd see again. "I have to...I'll be back," she said hurriedly, then rushed forward. "Yelara!"

At the sudden call, Yelara clutched Leshie closer and began backing away from the speeder. Her eyes held no hint of recognition, only apprehension.

Kallia couldn't help noticing, and pulled up short before she reached Yel. Yara, however, spotted little Leshie immediately, and reached out for him. "Baboo!"

Kallia looked between Yelara and Liam, uncertain.

"I'll explain in a little bit," he said.

Kal nodded, and looked back to Yelara, tears welling in her eyes.

"She does not remember," Yara explained from behind her mother. "Do not worry, we will help her."

Kallia nodded. "I guess, it's just good that she's back."

Dargus came up on Kal's other side. "I don't know what help I can be, but whatever you need from me..."

"I know you," Yara told Dargus matter-of-factly. "Why have you disguised yourself, Master Kandran?"

"Got tired of the old look," Dargus answered. "And, when I decided I was fed up with the pain, I thought it'd make it more difficult for my enemies to find me if they couldn't recognize me."

Yara bowed her head. "I understand, Master. But I am afraid I cannot be your solider any longer. I am a Jedi now."

"I understand," Dargus said with a smile. "And, I no longer wish you to be my soldier. I wish you to be whatever your heart desires, especially a Jedi. I'm studying the ways of the Jedi myself."

She regarded him with much scrutiny. "Perhaps we can train together, Dargus Kandran."

Dargus smiled. "I would like that," he said. "I still have much to learn." He glanced in Yelara's direction and tried to remain calm. He'd seen her eyes so many times in his sleep, been unable to sleep so many times out of fear of what those eyes accused him of. "Please, if you'd excuse me." With that, he slowly approached the woman he'd killed, who now stood before him, alive. He wasn't certain whether to be happy or not, not knowing what she must have gone through. "Yelara?"

She tensed, preparing to bolt, but something about Dargus stopped her. His voice struck a chord of recollection within her, and those dark, penetrating eyes that had dominated all of her dreams since her awakening. Soon, Yelara was smiling. "You," she whispered. "I...I know you."

It seemed as if everyone who was gathered around turned then to stare at Yelara. Dargus took another step closer, knowing that this was a victory of some kind, from what he'd picked up. That she recognized anyone, it was an important step. "I'm Dargus," he said. "I'm...I'm different from what you might remember. You look very well, Yelara. It's so very good to see you again."

"Dargus," she echoed in awe. Her smile broadened. "Va'Lesh," she said to the child, still staring at Dargus. "I told you we'd see him soon." Yelara sighed as she sank into his arms, murmuring, "I told you we'd see daddy soon...."

Dargus wasn't sure if anyone else heard her, but the shock he felt at hearing those words nearly turned his knees to sand. He put his arms awkwardly around Yel and cast a confused look to Liam, who was staring at him in a mixture of dark confusion and frustration. To hold onto Yel, despite how much he wanted her, how much he'd always wanted her, would be wrong. And, despite the feelings he had for her, he had made a commitment to Kallia, though he still was sketchy on those details. "Yelara," Dargus said softly, "Liam is Va'Lesh's father. Look at their eyes."

"My dreams," she whispered. "Your eyes were there...they were all I saw...."

"And yours in mine," Dargus whispered in response. "But...but Liam is your husband, Yelara. As much as I love you, as much as I have always loved you, to...to not tell you the truth in this, I would only become the monster I was again. I can't do that to you, Yel. I've hurt you too much already to hurt you again."

She upturned her face to his and studied him quizzically. "I don't remember you ever hurting me...I think I would feel it if that was true. But you are all I remember. You're the only thing that can keep me grounded. Don't push me away."

"Of course not," Dargus said as he put his arms around her. "And, I will do my best to help you reclaim the memories you've lost." Even those that would be best forgotten... He kissed her forehead. "I won't push you away, Yelara; that, I promise."

"Thank you," she murmured, and remained contently in his embrace, even though Leshie fussed and fidgeted irritably. It seemed he knew the truths Yelara had failed to recall.

"We should go inside and get you settled," Dargus said. "And, I believe that perhaps Leshie would like some playtime with Yara."

Yelara smiled at him fondly. "If you think that's best." She leaned against Dargus as he turned them towards the Temple, and felt truly secure when his arm slipped around her waist.

"This is odd, Va'Lesh," Yara noted as they looked upon the scene with puzzlement. "Does she not realize he was the one who caused her death?"

"I do not believe she remembers," Va'Lesh answered. "We will need to observe this closely. I wish to see Mother returned to health, and in this state, she remains quite vulnerable."

"You believe Master Kandran will attempt to harm her?" Yara asked.

"I sense no malice from him," Va'Lesh said. "However, with her memories fractured, harm may be done with no intention to do so."

"Then we must protect her," Yara declared and slapped her hand into Va'Lesh's. "Come...we shall be her protectors." And with unflagging determination, she jerked Va'Lesh into a brisk walk to catch up with Dargus and Yelara.

Va'Lesh could only smile as he hurriedly moved alongside Yara. It didn't take them long to catch up to Yelara and Dargus, and soon they'd come up behind them. Nothing would happen to Mother under their watchful eye.

"What's happened to her?" Orinth was saying, still watching where Dargus and Yelara had disappeared within the Temple. "Her eyes...their light is...it's gone."

"We're not quite sure," Liam said softly. "All I know is that she managed to return to life, even though it appeared that the procedure failed. She knows Leshie, and apparently Dargus." He frowned. "I don't understand it, and...and we really don't have any Jedi healers, like in the past. I...I'm going to need to do some research." He smiled at Orinth. "There is still hope, however. She's improving. It...it may only be a matter of time."

The old man was utterly crestfallen. "I hope so. I miss my granddaughter."

"Liam Zaneth," someone called from the Temple entrance. His eyes looked past Orinth and spotted the approaching Jedi.

Liam smiled. "Laedra," he said with a large, fond smile. "You're looking great."

She stopped before him, appearing as stern as ever. "Apparently so is Yelara." A single glance aside at Orinth was all the hint he required that she wished privacy with Liam. He smiled wanly and shuffled off. Once alone, she gestured towards the forest. "Shall we?"

Liam nodded once and started off in the direction of her gesture. He took one glance back to see Tralesha comforting Orinth as best she could, and the pain reflected in the old man's eyes nearly broke his heart. We'll find a way, he thought as he and Laedra disappeared into the forest. We'll figure it out.

"It is good to see you once again," Laedra told him after a time of long silence. "Jae Dyn informed us of Yelara's condition." She cast a sidelong look his way. "Raising the dead, are we?"

"After a fashion," Liam said. "You're looking well, Laedra. It's good to see you too. How have things been here?"

She smiled enigmatically. "Eventful, to say the least. We seem to be having problems with some wayward Padawans - two of which have recently seized control of the Arcadian palace and claimed the throne to Tae'Karada." Laedra sighed. "And you?"

Liam closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them. "Nieme and Dani," he said. "Have you heard from anyone inside the palace?"

"Only Dargus. He and an acquaintance infiltrated the palace last evening and managed to rescue one of the girls' hostages." Laedra stopped and came before Liam. Her expression was grave. "There is a plan to overthrow them, but I sense only darkness when I think of it. It will not go well, I feel."

Liam nodded. "You'll have to fill me in on the plan," he said. "I guess we came back at just the right time. It's good to see you well, Laedra."

She smiled wanly. "We did not part on the best of terms...but things are better now, Liam. I just..." Laedra paused to form her words properly. "You brought her back...and I believe I know why. But was it truly the right thing to do?"

"I do not have an answer to that question yet," Liam answered. "She did not deserve that death. Va'Lesh didn't deserve to lose his mother. I'd just gotten her back in my life, to have her taken away... I had to try, and...and the Force helped bring her back. She lacks her memories, and...and she's confused. I just...just don't know, Laedra."

"You were afraid to face the trials involved in grieving her," she said gently. "Now, Liam, you must deal with this." Lending him her hand, she whispered, "I will help you to."

"It wasn't a fear," Liam said as he took her hand. "It was an emptiness that was bigger than me. It was the knowledge that my son would grow up without her. I'm not certain what to do now, but I've been meditating and feeling my way through. I just hope...hope that she'll recover."

" 'Recover' meaning she realizes she loves you instead of Dargus?" Laedra asked.

"I would hope that she can recover her memories," Liam said. "And...and I hope that she remembers Orinth. I can't imagine anything else bringing him so much joy than a look of recognition from his granddaughter."

"And what will bring you joy, Liam Zaneth?" she asked. "You deserve some finally."

"I would like to see her recognize me," Liam said. "That would bring me happiness, to know that, despite all my doubts and the danger, that what I did was...was alright."

"Your intentions were good, Liam. That, in itself, makes it alright." Laedra raised her other hand to his cheek, hoping to lend what little comfort she could offer. "You're here now, Liam. You're with friends. Things will get better, don't worry."

"Thank you," Liam said with a warm smile. "It is very good to be back, and it's very good to see you again." With that, he opened his arms to her, knowing that a hug from one of his closest friends right now would do him a world of good.

She hesitated only a moment before accepting. Their time as lovers had passed, and Laedra knew that nothing, not even an innocent embrace, would reignite their passion for one another. Each of them had already given their hearts to another. "Do not stay away too long again," she whispered against his ear. "You were missed."

"I hope to never have to go away again," Liam said with a smile. "I believe the only thing that will take me away now would be Jedi business, and I hope that would be minor. Once I have made sure Yelara is comfortable, I'll need to speak with Yara and Va'Lesh about resuming their training. Since Yelara's return, I have been somewhat negligent."

"I can help in that respect if you wish," Laedra offered.

"Thank you," Liam said with a smile. "It's hard to get through to them sometimes. The emotionless...it can be fairly unnerving."

She chuckled and pulled back, still resting her hands upon his shoulders. "At least they're not over-emotional. Emotionless we can deal with, Liam. And they seem obedient enough, so it shouldn't be a problem."

"They are that," Liam said. "They're model students, and they learn extremely quickly. They also work extremely well as a team."

"And they know they're clones?" she asked.

Liam nodded. "They do," he said. "They've both really taken to Leshie. And, I saw them over with Kallia and Yara. I believe they've got a fairly strong bond with the babies."

"Perhaps it's the Force," Laedra suggested. "They are from the same soul, it would seem."

Liam nodded his agreement. "I believe that is a fairly accurate assessment." He smiled. "Perhaps you'd like to observe my training session with them in the morning, provided the situation with Nieme and Dani doesn't interfere with the schedule."

She chuckled lightly as they began moving forward again. "I'd love to. The council has already met regarding the girls. It was agreed that infiltrating the palace and confronting them was the best way to solve the matter."

"Is there a plan to get inside? I know that most of the entrances have been sealed." He shrugged. "I imagine I'll be along to help? We'll need everything we can muster to stop those two."

Laedra smiled as she squeezed his hand. "It wouldn't be the same without you."

"It's been quite some time since my adrenaline's started pumping. It'll be good to see a little action. So, you and Koran, pretty close item now?"

Her cheeks blushed visibly. "We are...I think. We share a bed, meditate together, explore the grounds with one another...but our focus is on the Jedi code and its principles." She sighed. "Much has happened lately, there hasn't been much time to explore our relationship, but we are content."

Liam smiled. "I'm very happy for you, for both of you. I don't know if Yelara and I will ever...again, but it is my hope."

"Have faith, Liam," Laedra advised. "The balance will be restored in time."

Liam grinned. "Let us hope," he said. "We should return. I'd like to get settled in, and get caught up on news. Maybe you'd like to join me in the mess to help me get caught up."

Laedra grinned. "Gladly. You'll need some of Orn's specialty to give you strength when you're called to the council chambers. It would seem the masters wish to have a word with you...."

"I had no doubts," Liam said with a smile. "Come on, then, let's go see how Orn's doing."

And taking a most circuitous and scene route through the forest, they did.

***

"This will be your room here," Dargus said as he led the way into a fairly good sized room. "You and Va'Lesh should be very comfortable here. My room is just down the hall from here."

"You won't be sharing mine?" Yelara asked. She still hung off Dargus' arm possessively.

"I don't think I should," Dargus said softly, gently. "There is much you don't seem to remember, Yelara. For me to do that, it would be irresponsible of me. And, I am currently involved in a relationship with Kallia."

"That doesn't matter," she told him. "You're the only one I remember. I just need to be near you, to feel safe." As they stopped at the door to her room, she gripped his forearm gently and gazed up at Dargus. "Just stay a while," she whispered. "You can help me remember everything I've forgotten."

"Of course," Dargus said softly. "I'll help you as best I can. Come on inside, let's sit down, and see how much you can remember."

Smiling fondly, Yelara stepped through the open doorway with the feeling that, finally, she had truly reclaimed her life.

"Keeping Occupied"
By: Kaysa Zenarr
Maeren Shivral
Kimara
Merrick Braston
Zale Tregat

Location: New Plouton
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

Watching the two women pace restlessly across the living area was at once amusing and disorienting. Maeren and Kim had both chosen similar outfits that day, and with the two crossing past one another then marching off in opposite directions, Kaysa was no longer sure which was which. Frowning with concentration, she leaned her elbows upon her knees, planted her chin in her hands, and stared. "Are you gonna do this all day?" she muttered. "I'm getting nauseous."

Maeren stopped and turned -- or was it Kim. "Sorry," she said. "It's just...I can't think. I don't know what to do. I don't even want to know what they're doing to him. I'm...I'm scared."

"Don't be," Kaysa told her softly. "He's fine. I just know it. But you two won't be if you keep fretting like this. I mean...when's the last time you ate?"

"Yesterday, I think," Kim answered.

"Last night," Maeren said. "Those crackers."

"You had one," Kim said.

"So did you, but it was still eating."

Kaysa snorted. "Hardly. You're practically sticks to begin with. What will Keeve think if he sees you withering away like this? He won't want either of you!"

"He'll want Kim," Maeren said.

"He would?"

Shiv grinned. "Probably not, but I guess we should eat something. Sometimes I wonder if he can tell us apart."

"He can," Kim answered. "I...I don't think I want to think about him right now. Can we...can we get something to eat?"

Kaysa threw up her arms and pushed herself laboriously up from the couch. "Finally! Merrick," she called into the balcony. "Food!"

Merrick appeared in the doorway. "You don't know how happy that makes me," he said as he appeared from the balcony overlooking the courtyard below. "There was a prijeen waddling over and back on the railing, and I was this close to catching it and eating it raw. There's that new cafe down on the corner. We can try there. It'll get us out of here, get us away for a bit, and it'll allow us to sample the neighbourhood cuisine."

Kaysa kneaded her tense lower back as she warned, "I'd better not have to do too much walking, Merrick, or I'll make you carry me again."

"It's just down on the corner," Merrick said with a laugh. "Ten meters from that frazzie stand you need to go to every day." He gave her a smile and extended an arm for her. "But, if you need me to, I'll carry you, my love."

She latched her hand onto his arm and snorted. "You bet you will, Braston." And with the other hand supporting her bloated stomach, she waddled away with Merrick as her escort.

***

Seats were easy to find, though it took considerable effort to keep Kaysa from lingering at the frazzie stand. Kim and Maeren sat on one side of the table with Merrick and Kaysa on the other. Their drinks had been ordered and now they were just enjoying the cool breeze coming from up the street. It was a nice day, but the winter weather would set in soon enough. Rain and worse was predicted over the next few days, driving out the gentle warmth and bringing in what was predicted to be the worst winter in Tae'Karada's recent history.

"I hate cold weather," Kimara said as she nibbled on the corner of a chip. "Wearing so much clothing? Ugh." Maeren giggled and quickly covered it with a bite from a chip weighed down with the white sauce that rested in the middle of the table. "I think they should put a dome over the city and keep it warm all the time."

"Oh, don't be silly," Kaysa mumbled over a hefty mouthful of chocolate tart. A dribble of the custard seeped from the corner of her lips. "You'll get used to the snow. It's beautiful in the moonlight!"

"But the cold! I'll have to wear all kinds of warm clothes." She pointed to herself, indicating the top that stopped above her belly button, and the pants that came to mid-calf, above shoeless feet. "I'll feel so...bundled."

"And I've been carrying another human in my stomach for seven months," Kaysa retorted. "Stop complaining!"

"Hey, you brought that on yourself by having three very frisky husbands," Kimara said. "I didn't ask for winter." She couldn't help grinning.

Kaysa grinned cunningly and leaned in to whisper, "I happen to know that Keeve adores winter."

"That's because he's a prudish man who hates naked women," Kimara said. "I happen to think that seeing naked women is very good for him. It helps reduce his stress and keep him from developing medical problems later in life."

"But he sees Shiv naked all the time," Kaysa replied, pointing her fork at Kim for emphasis.

"But he never wants to see me naked. I happen to like having him see me naked, it sort of reminds him...you know."

"That's my husband you're talking about," Shiv said with a laugh.

Kimara raised an eyebrow. "Tell me you object, and I'll call you a liar."

Shiv giggled. "Good point."

Merrick shook his head. "I really hope someone outside of our family never really tries to figure out all of the ties and bindings between us all."

"At least Saris is almost normal," Kaysa commented. "Don't she and Moril make an adorable couple?" She sighed dreamily and bit into her tart again. "I bet you," she babbled full-mouthed, "they'll be married in no time!"

Both Shiv and Kimara giggled and nodded their agreement. "It's so nice that Moril found someone," Shiv said. "I know she may look like me, but she's definitely becoming her own person. I hear she's working for Zale now part-time, helping around the office. Speaking of Zale, he'd better show up soon. I bet he's not eating either."

Kaysa smiled. "More for baby, then."

Merrick laughed. "I think I'm going to be at the White Noise tomorrow night, for a show. You three should come."

"Will there be food in your dressing room?" Kaysa asked, deadly serious.

"Not after you get there, I imagine," Merrick answered with a chuckle. "Yes, my love, I'm sure there will be."

She smiled serenely and leaned her head upon his shoulder as she continued happily eating her meal.

"If she's up for it, Kim will be singing backup for me," Merrick added. "If she's up for it, of course."

Kim's eyebrows shot up. "Me?"

Maeren gawked. "Her?"

"Yes," Merrick said with a laugh. "And, you've had your chance, and you'll get more. She's got a great voice, and it'll give you and Kaysa another chance to throw your panties at us."

That seemed to do the trick for Maeren, who suddenly smiled. "Deal," she said. "But next time, Kim gets to throw her panties at you."

Merrick chuckled. "Of course," he said.

"And what about Zale?" Kaysa asked. "Don't his panties count?"

"And, what if he's not wearing any," came a deep, resonant voice from behind them. When they all turned, they saw Zale approaching with a bright, white grin shining at them. "I'm sorry I'm late. I was negotiating with one of my freighter captains to alter a few orbital satellites." He slipped into a vacant seat beside Kaysa. "Have I missed much?"

"We were just talking about food," she replied sweetly and delivered a brief kiss to his lips.

"My favourite," Zale said with a grin, then patted Kaysa's arm. "And yours too. You haven't cleaned them out yet, have you?"

She pouted at him. "But I can't help it," she complained. "I just...can't stop eating!" Then she batted her eyelashes at him prettily. "Don't you want baby to come out healthy?"

Zale chuckled. "Of course I do," he said. "And, it shouldn't be too much longer before we all can stop fearing for any food set down, unattended, for more than five minutes."

Kaysa sighed as she smoothed both hands over the swell of her stomach. "Very soon," she whispered. "I just hope we can get Keeve back in time to see it."

Zale nodded. "I'm sure we will," he said. "I've got people out now, looking for him and watching. And, the Jedi are working on a plan."

"A plan?" Kaysa repeated skeptically. "One that won't get Keeve killed, I presume?"

"I would hope that a rescue plan didn't include getting the people you're trying to rescue killed," Zale answered.

"Well, what interest would they have in keeping Keeve safe?" Kaysa asked. "They're just trying to cover their own asses by fixing a mistake they never should have made. The only thing they're set on doing is getting those two Jedi girls off the throne, and if a civilian gets killed in the process?" Kaysa shrugged. "I'd just be more secure if your men were going in there, Zale."

"My men aren't invited in," Zale said. "And, I guess they have some of their own in there." His eyes flicked to Merrick. "Talara's there, and another civilian." Merrick's eyes widened, but he quickly looked away. "I'm certain they're doing what they can to rescue them."

Kaysa sighed. "I just wish they'd involve us," she whispered, then realizing she was undoing all she had to alleviate Kim and Shiv's fears, Kaysa mustered a smile. "Well...the Jedi are sworn protectors of this planet. That means Keeve, too."

Merrick smiled. "They'll get him back," he said. "Or he'll be so ornery, they'll kick him out of the palace and send him back to us."

Kaysa made a face. "If that's the case, I don't want him, either!"

"I'll take him," Kimara said with a grin.

"Of course you would," Maeren answered with a laugh.

"Well...so would I," Kaysa admitted solemnly. Sulking, Kaysa stared forlornly across the table at Kim's platter. "All this worrying makes me hungry...."

Kim smiled and slid the platter across the table. "Always happy to share," she said.

"I really shouldn't," Kaysa demurred, but was quick to snatch up her fork once the plate was within reach. Munching down on a heaping forkful of noodles, she mumbled, "Thanks!"

"You're welcome, Kaysa," Kim said. "You need to make sure you and the baby are well fed. Maeren and I will be the too thin ones."

Kaysa pouted to express her sympathy, but didn't seem too apologetic with sauce framing her lips. "Don't worry...Merrick will take you home and cook you something nice." She glared at Merrick. "Won't you?"

"Of course," Merrick said. "And, the two of you will eat every bite. If you don't start eating, both of you will cease to cast shadows and one strong breeze could send you floating out into outer space. We don't want that."

"We don't want that," Kaysa repeated in a food-muffled voice. She slurped up the end of spaghetti dangling from her mouth, then grinned at the girls. "Why don't you go shopping? Shopping always cheers me up."

Maeren and Kimara conferred briefly, then nodded. "Okay," Kim said. "We'll be back soon. Should we meet you here or the house?"

Kaysa waved her hand to indicate indifference while her mouth remained busily chewing away. "House," she managed to force through the barrier of food.

The girls hurriedly said their goodbyes and raced off. They could still be heard for several more moments as they nearly ran off in the direction of the shopping district.

"You'd think they were twins instead of clones," Merrick said. "I mean, raised and living together all their lives, not suddenly thrown together one day."

"Well how do you explain Saris?" Kaysa asked, patting the corner of her mouth with a napkin, far more daintily than she had consumed her meal. "She's so timid and sweet...nothing like Kim and Shiv."

"I can't explain it," Merrick said. "Well, I'm just glad they're safe with us here. You do have us all watched, right?"

Zale smiled. "Of course I do," he said. "Anyone tries anything, they're in for a big surprise. Especially those two usurping bitches."

"Well, I don't think they're interested in us anymore," Kaysa opined. "Once they're settled in nicely, then I believe they'll have more time to think of who next they'd like to add to their harem." She smirked. "I'm not on the list, but pretty boy here might be."

"I don't think I was entertaining enough for them," Merrick said.

"Only when you were with--"

"I don't think I was entertaining enough for then," Merrick repeated more assertively. "Besides, it sounds like they'll have their hands busy with the Jedi for awhile."

Kaysa nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds like..." she echoed, then sighed and began pushing back her chair. "I should get to Zenarr Inc. I want to make sure Cadwin has a handle on things."

"I can come with you," Merrick said. "I need to head that direction anyway."

She smiled and took his arm once he was standing. "You can join us for the walk if you like, Zale. I don't know if I trust you outside all alone," she teased.

"Very well," Zale said with a grin. "But Merrick better be making me some food later too."

"Oh, don't worry," Merrick said. "I'll make sure you don't starve." He reached over and patted Zale's stomach. "And, it definitely doesn't look like you'll be starving any time soon."

Zale looked down at his stomach then back to Merrick. "I'd like you to know that I've never been in better shape in my life."

Merrick laughed. "Well, stay that way. We need to get Keeve back, and that means you have to be in top shape. Now, let's go before Kaysa orders another meal."

"I will not," Kaysa protested indignantly. Then pouted. "Maybe...."

Zale chuckled, then kissed her. "It's alright, my love," he said. "You're eating for two. I'm sure Merrick will make you something tasty later."

Kaysa grinned facetiously. "Like you covered in icing?"

Merrick laughed and Zale waggled his eyebrows at her. "I like the sound of that," he said. "Why haven't we ever thought of that earlier?"

"Because you have no imagination," she quipped, and was in the process of shooting off another witty remark when her stomach churned. Kaysa gripped her chairback for support and cradled her belly, hoping to ease the pain away. "Shouldn't have eaten so much," she managed.

Merrick stepped in closer to help support her as they moved. "We'll be fine," he said. "You do have some things for your stomach at Zenarr Inc, don't you?"

Kaysa smiled reassuringly. "I think I just need to burp very unwomanly-like." Rubbing her stomach, Kaysa sighed and nodded at the two men. "It'll be fine once we start walking."

Zale looked around. "Are you sure you don't want to just burp?" he asked with a grin, an amused twinkle lighting his eyes. "I don't know of a single person who doesn't feel relief after that."

"Well, I'm a lady, Mr. Tregat, I do not 'just burp'," she attempted to declare haughtily, but the discomfort she was experiencing made the statement feeble at best.

"You did last night," Zale said. "I think that was right after I asked you, 'Would you like another helping of the beebleberry gelatin, my dear?'"

Kaysa glowered at him viciously. "Now's not the time to be mocking your wife, Tregat. Now help me walk!" She thrust out an arm for him to take.

Still grinning, Zale took Kaysa's arm. "I heard the chandelier shake in the other room," he said. "And, Hope was wandering into the room when it happened. Her fur stood up on end, and she bolted right back out the door. And, it's not mocking, my love. It's teasing. We tease because we care."

She smirked. "Because I have an amazing lung capacity? I'm burping for two now - I can't help if the volume of my belches has increased considerably."

"That must be it," Zale said. "Have you ever heard Shiv? Talk about lungs. Though, I think Kim could give her a run for her money. I really hope they don't buy an entire store. I get worried when they go out together with a credit chip."

"And why is that?" Kaysa asked, her smile returning. The knots in her stomach were loosening. "Isn't business going well?"

Merrick laughed. "You haven't looked in their closets recently have you," he said.

"It's not a matter of money," Zale said. "It's space."

"Then buy them a home just for their clothes," Kaysa offered as a completely logical solution in her mind. "We're rich. Why not?"

"There is an apartment next to theirs," Zale said. "They could probably take that over. If we could get authorization to modify it, we could actually turn that into a very nice little home for them. Especially if Keeve does convince that Jedi and her student to live with them."

Kaysa chuckled dryly. "My son's bed is getting very crowded, isn't it? Though Kim seems to be the only one not invited...."

"Except when she was a slave on that ship, I don't think Kim's had any sex," Merrick said. "Though, not for a lack of trying. Keeve seems to flirt and look, but he definitely doesn't touch...at least from what I've seen."

"He's committed to Maeren," Kaysa said proudly. "That's more than I can say about you two sluts."

"And, what does it say about you, my love of three husbands?" Zale asked with a grin.

She brushed her lips against his chin as she raised her head to smirk in his face. "I never denied I was one. In fact, that's why you married me."

"You are committed to each of us though," Merrick said with a smile. "Still, I do hope Kim finds someone. If Keeve isn't going to accept her, someone should...other than Maeren, of course."

"Then we'll need to take her out to meet boys," Kaysa suggested. "Merrick, aren't any of the guys in your band looking? You could introduce her. You know how she loves your music."

"We'll see what happens tomorrow night," Merrick said with a smile. "Though, I think she'd gladly get snuggly with any of us." He laughed. "I've seen how she looks at you sometimes...it's so much like Maeren, I almost forget."

"She's just curious about this thing inside of me." Kaysa stroked her belly affectionately. "She's wondering how I could possibly fit any food in there with that baby crowding the place."

"Of course she is," Merrick said with a laugh.

Kaysa rolled her eyes, and the three continued on their way to Zenarr Inc. All the while, she thought of Keeve, missing him dearly and, with as stubborn as he always was, wishing he could be returned to her soon. Especially to keep Kim from doting on her instead.

"Future, or Fiction?"
By Cole Slaton

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Vadris 7th, 4ABY

***

He was perched on the branch of a tree within a large garden, the foliage behind him hid the wall he knew was there. How he knew he couldn't say. His mind was fuzzy, muddled, he couldn't remember how he got here to their beach house. Their beach house? He frowned, trying to remember as he looked back to the house that stood before him. They? Dani... Nieme. The names came through into his mind as he stared at the house.

He could smell the sea in the air, hear the waves in the distant background. They had Zari! His eyes widened with the thought. How could he forget her? How could he forget the woman he cared for so much? He smiled to himself. Women? he thought shaking his head. She was, despite everyone else's view. She was more a woman than most thirty year olds he knew.

He reached behind him, but instead of finding pistols which he was expecting, his fingers touched the hilts of two lightsabers. Strangely there was no shock. No surprise at finding the lightsabers. His fingers wrapped around them, gripping them tightly. It was the most natural feeling he'd ever experienced.

He allowed himself to fall forward, dropping down from the branch to land silently on the ground below. He burst forward, stopping for the briefest of moments at the front door. It was all they had needed. He felt the Force on his back in between his shoulder blades. The Force was immense, taking him by surprise, knocking him forward.

He lifted his arms up, protecting his face, smashing through the front door, slamming into the hallway, sliding several feet before coming to a stop. He opened his eyes when he heard that incisive laughter. It made his skin crawl, he wanted to shut her up, more than anything. It was like a primal rage, an urge to rip her apart. He fought it back. He was here for Zari, nothing else mattered.

"Look who's come to play..." the voice echoed around him as he climbed to his feet. He looked to the right then to the left trying to place where it was coming from.

"A new toy!" a second voice shouted. It sounded like it was coming from upstairs and he started running. As he ran past a glass door it smashed open, throwing shards of glass into him, but his eyes looked past them towards the woman wearing what appeared to be a black leather catsuit. DANI!

She spun in the air, her foot connecting savagely with his face, spinning him around. He didn't have time to even register the pain before she kneed him in the stomach. Using the Force she tossed him to the side and he smashed through another glass door, rolling over the sharp fragments feeling them dig into his flesh. "How pitiful, I thought he'd be fun..."

"He will be, my love."

Cole's head lifted up from the floor, blood running from cuts to his face. They both stood in the doorway watching him. They were smiling! That mocking, humorous, knowing smile! He wanted nothing more than to wipe it from their faces and he knew just the weapon for the job.

The dark room was instantly lit up by the two lightsabers that ignited on either side of him. His right side was lit up by the white glow of one lightsaber while his left side was hidden by the dark blue haze which looked practically black. "I'll rip you apart..." Cole whispered, meaning every word.

"See, my love..." Nieme ran her finger lightly down her partner's front. Cole's eyes were fixed on the middle finger running in between Dani's partially exposed breasts. "Do you wish to? Or would you like to watch?"

"Oh, can I?" Cole roared, launching himself forward, ignoring the pain from the numerous cuts from the glass. He rushed them, slashing with his lightsabers. They moved to the side with ease and he fell forward. He slammed into the hallway on his front, sliding into the far wall.

Why didn't his hands break his fall?

"Are these yours?"

Cole rolled over and his eyes grew wide. His breath caught in the back of his throat as his heart stopped. His arms! They had his arms! They were severed several inches above the elbow. Dani held his right while Nieme was waving his left at him. They both still held the lightsabers as if not interested in the notion of defeat wanting to continue the fight.

"No... NO! NOOO!!!!!" he roared, screaming until his lungs burned.

***

His eyes snapped out as he jumped forward, mirroring the scream. His eyes looked all around him at the room. There was no one there but him. He started controlling his breathing, running his hand through his hair. He could still feel his heart pounding in his chest.

It seemed so real. Was it the Force? He'd heard it could show the future, he'd hoped not for it was a future he didn't want to see. He remembered everything, every fragment of glass cutting through his skin into his flesh. He even remembered seeing Zari standing in the hallway looking at him. There was no love in those eyes. No sorrow. Nothing. They were dead.

"Foreign Stars"
By Nyah Darasar, Padawan

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Vadris 7, 4ABY

***

It was only the second time, during her training in the Jedi ways, that Nyah felt a cold void of dark so distinctly. No longer could she ignore her true destiny or all the responsibility that came with that path.

'These are not the stars of Mirial,' she reminded herself quietly. Currently Nyah had sought refuge on one of the observation decks. Every time she glanced at the night sky she learned something new. Tonight peace was her only real objective.

From and early age Solon and Gaia had taught her well. Though most of life's lessons had come from her guardian Kiana and more recently from Alisson Blair. The Jedi Master was off with the rest of them on some quest. Perception was one area she'd spent time studying daily, but Nyah could safely say this was one time she didn't want to know the full details. Important and very dangerous was all she knew. More than enough of a reason to meditate.

A clear mind would only help her feel the Force and rely on it at a rather critical time. Sounds of the night greeted Nyah as she let her mind drift from other distractions. The relaxation techniques she'd chosen were a mixture of ones taught by her father and those more recently shown to her assigned mentor.

Everything flowed with that familiar power. Invisible though undeniably she knew it was there. Subtle yet unceasing. The more Nyah allowed herself to truly concentrate the stronger the connection. Successively it became easier to maintain her focus each time, though she still hadn't perfected her technique.

Just one lesson of many, she had yet to learn.

"Shipment Orders"
by:Oyani Tala
Shrezade Anoran
Rilanna Kir
R4-B4 (NPC Droid)

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Vardis 7, 4ABY

***

Oyani awoke, suddenly. Her green eyes shot open, and she could see the ceiling of her apartment on Drogen. The grey metal seemed dull colored to her and she realized her vision was blurred. It was clearing, slowly, but it was still fuzzy enough to make Oyani shake her head to clear her eyes.

Her head ached. And it was a bad one. Especially for a Twi'lek. A Twi'lek with a headache soon became a Twi'lek with a lekku-ache. And that was just so much more area to have to have pain in. It was not a pleasurable experience to say the least.

There was music playing. Loud, harsh music that Oyani recognized immediately as one of the recordings of her favorite band: the Zabrak group E'Makesh. But, somehow they didn't sound as good as usual.

As Oyani lay, quietly, letting her vision clear she felt a sudden puff of warm air on her left lekku. She turned her head a bit too quickly. Pain shot through both lekku, but it was quickly forgotten, as the source of the warm air came into view. A Shistavanen Wolfman was in her bed. He was sleeping, and had just begun to snore.

And then her memory kicked in. Last night. Oyani had spent it in one of the seamier locations on Drogen, drinking, dancing; even doing an impromptu striptease, unless she was remembering something else. The one thing she could remember clearly was that there was liquor aplenty. Anx wine, Corellian brandy, and even some heady Twi'lek ale made with ryll. And Oyani had partaken more than was good for her.

She was celebrating. She had just returned from a cargo run and finally had enough credits to pay off the parts she had purchased to upgrade the weapons systems on her ship - the Ryloth Storm. As soon as she had paid the Quarren loan officer, she went in search of a party. And apparently she had found a friendly, stray Shistavanen to drag home.

And she was hung over. She was glad of the hangover, because it kept her from remembering too clearly. But, she knew from the fact that she was sore in certain regions of her anatomy that she had passed a few hours with her Wolfman guest before they passed out, most likely from a mix of alcohol and exhaustion. Oyani threw back the faded purple blanket that covered both her body, and his. He barely stirred. They were both naked.

"When are you going to learn, Tala," Oyani said to herself, in a soft whisper. The Shistavanen turned, as she spoke, rolled his back to her, and began snoring even louder. "Never..." she finished admonishing herself and crawled, slowly, from her bed.

Stumbling to a counter nearby, with her lekku swinging limply over her back, Oyani hit a button that turned down the music. She reached out with her other hand and struck another actuator, that caused a stream of heated water to start pouring, from a wall-socket, into a clear carafe on the countertop. When the carafe was half-full, another socket started dispensing a thick, brown syrup into the water, where it was diluted into a strong brew of coffee.

Oyani took a mug full of the brew into her bathroom. Sipping it as she did so, she reached into her shower and turned a knob that started a flow of cold water from a spray-head in the shower's ceiling. Oyani put her coffee down on the bathroom counter, and stepped under the frigid spray.

She coughed, and splutterd as the water got into her face. She shook, like an animal trying to shake herself dry, lekku flipping in every direction, as she turned herself so that the cold water could rain down on every inch of her crimson-skinned body. Then she stood still, letting the water fall on her head, and run in little rivulets down her back, and over her breasts. As the cold water slowly eased the pain of her head and lekku, no doubt with the help of the strong dose of whatever drug was in the coffee; Oyani began rubbing her hands over herself. Her eyes closed slowly, and she began to remember her experiences of the night before.

As her hands began to caress her stomach, she began to reflect on the hours-old memories. And under the icy spray of the shower, somehow, they didn't seem as bad as they had when she first woke up.

She was shocked back to reality as a high pitched beeping filled the air of the bathroom. It was her com. She had installed an extension unit in the bathroom, in case a client - someone looking to have their hyperdrive repaired at short notice, or needing an emergency shipment of toilet wipes shipped to New Plouton - should call her in the middle of a shower. Competition was tough on Drogen. And Oyani knew how to compete.

She turned the water off with a quick slap of the knob, and stepped from her shower. Naked, she activated the comlink - unashamed of her nudity despite the fact that it was a videocom unit.

"Oyani Tala - shipping and fixing," she announced. Shipping and Fixing; it was the name of her company, which consisted of herself, and a red-domed astromech called R4-B4. But, it sounded better to Oyani than just announcing her name every time she answered the com. More official, and businesslike.

A face appeared on the screen, and it was the face of Shrezade Anoran. The woman who controlled Drogen Shipyards.

Suddenly Oyani wondered if her nakedness was appropriate.

"Administrator Anoran," the woman drawled in response, one side of her mouth quirked into an acerbic smile. Her eyes passed coolly over the naked form dominating her screen. "Once you're decent, Ms. Tala, may we discuss some business?"

Oyani held up a long-nailed finger. "One moment, Madame administrator," she said, and she disappeared from Anoran's view. A few seconds passed and then Shrezade could again see the Twi'lek on her screen, her red body covered in a short, blue robe of some kind of soft material. Oyani sat on her counter so she could look more directly into the viewing screen. She felt a twinge of pain in one lekku, that let her know her hangover had not gone down the shower drain completely.

"I'm sorry... I was taking a shower." Oyani said to the woman on the screen. "Now... what business would you like to discuss?"

"Your type of business," Reza replied without elaboration. "You are still a freighter pilot are you not?"

"Yes, I am," Oyani responded. "My ship - The Ryloth Storm, is ready to go at a moment's notice, I might add. I just finished some special modifications to it, and can assure you...."

Anoran cut the Twi'lek off in mid sentence. "Meet me at your ship's hangar in fifteen minutes." Reza's blue eyes narrowed as her smile deepened. "And please wear something other than a robe, Ms. Tala. Anoran out."

Oyani was out of her robe as soon as she deactivated the comunit. She exchanged it for one of her more common costumes: black pants with white piping down the outside of each leg, high, heavy Coynite boots, and a blue tunic. She covered her head with a headdress that looked more like some kind of Coynite garment than a traditional Twi'lek head covering, and after wrapping a belt that held a holstered blastpistol, she was ready for her meeting with Anoran.

She left her apartment with the music playing, and the lights dimmed.

The Shistavanen still sleeping the sleep of overindulgence, and snoring like a tortured Wookiee as Oyani stepped out into the dimly lit corridors of Drogen. She still couldn't remember the Wolfman's name; but she knew, or at least hoped he could find his own way home. And perhaps, the Twi'lek goddess willing, he'd lock up when he left. The last thing she wanted was to find some of Drogen's less savory denizens raiding her refrigeration unit when she returned.

The journey to the hangar where the Ryloth Storm was docked took her sixteen minutes. So, she arrived one minute late. R4 was there, and she could see him working on one of the landing struts as she entered the hangar; just making a few minor adjustments. She also caught sight of Anoran. The blonde woman seemed to be waiting patiently, her usual entourage by her side.

Oyani offered them a smile. Her lekku waved and bobbed behind her as she approached Reza. "What can I do for you, Madame Administrator?"

"You're late," Reza said flatly, then turned on a heel and waved curtly for Oyani to follow. Still accustomed to the trousered business suit she had adopted since her first day as a businesswoman, Reza's outfit strayed from the norm. No blouse was worn beneath the button-up jacket that snugly cradled the smooth lines of her torso, and exposed her chest from clavicle to the deep valley of her breasts.

The security officer striding a pace behind the administrator seemed just as unconventional in the sleek leather jumpsuit and heavy boots replacing regular armour. She only carried a single blaster slung low on her hip, alluding to a skill and confidence that deemed any more weaponry excessive and unnecessary. Her striking brown eyes were constantly scanning the surroundings, and paid special attention to the Twi'lek following behind.

When they'd reached the rear of Oyani's ship, Reza turned smartly and folded her arms beneath her bosom. A row of crates six across and stacked two high provided a backdrop to the smug administrator and lithe security officer. "Your cargo, Ms. Tala."

As they walked, Oyani's eyes couldn't help but fall on the security officer that accompanied Anoran. The look on her face could best be described as hungry. But, she tried to disguise her interest, and concentrate on the task that was being laid out before her.

Oyani's right lekku curled over her shoulder as if it had a mind of its own as she gave the crates a looking over. The Twi'lek bit her lower lip, and the expression on her face would indicate she was in thought, as if trying to make a decision. The little R4 unit turned his red dome so that his central photoreceptor could focus on his mistress. He let out a low, almost imperceptible sound that could have been a moan, if astromechs could moan.

"Do you mind if I ask..." Oyani said hesitantly, "what it is?"

Reza's smile was unreadable. "Just...cargo. Can you transport it safely to its destination? It is imperative that no one get close enough to discover what is within."

"You needn't worry about that, no one will get close to me unless I want them to," Oyani assured the administrator. "I just added some weapon modifications onto the ship, too. So, she can handle herself if trouble comes looking for me. What destination are we talking about here?" As Tala asked this question, both her lekku waved to one side, and then her left one quivered a bit.

R4 made another low beeping sound. His attention, judging by the direction his photoreceptor was trained, had returned to his work on the landing strut.

Reza smirked as one arm shot out straight. In her hand was a padd. "Your flight plan. I've taken the liberty of mapping out the route for you and providing you with all the necessary credentials, in the event that you do get held up by any New Republic patrols in the area."

Oyani read over the aurabesh characters on the padd. "Alright, looks like a pretty regular flight plan. One question - if I'm to worry about New Republic patrols, why am I flying right into their HQ on the moon? If you don't mind my asking?"

R4 made another beeping noise. He folded up his welding arm, extended his third leg, and rolled his way up the boarding ramp of the Storm. Oyani's gaze switched for a second, to follow his movements, and then her green eyes were back on Anoran. This job was destined to become intriguing, or so the red Twi'lek was beginning to believe.

"This is highly sensitive cargo, Ms. Tala," Reza reminded her severely. "It is meant only for a certain New Republic official - no other must know if its existence. That includes New Republic patrols. Is that clear enough?"

Oyani nodded her head, slowly. "Good enough. I'll take care to make sure it gets into the proper hands. I ship for the going rate in this sector... and a little extra, if I put my lekku on the line. Pay half now, half when I return? Does that sound fair to you, Madame Administrator." Her tone was soft, almost purring.

"I'll pay half now," Anoran agreed, "and if you do well, I might consider offering you a permanent arrangement as my personal courier. Does that sound appealing to you, Ms. Tala?"

Oyani had a hard time containing her excitement, and anyone who could read the lekku movements of a Twi'lek would know she was close to jumping in the air for joy. Her lekku quivered and wiggled.

But, Tala remained outwardly businesslike. "That is a very appealing offer, Madame. And I appreciate it. Alright... we'll see how I do, on this delivery. Let me get your cargo loaded up, and I'll be on my way."

She bowed her head slightly, and the movements of her lekku calmed.

"Ms. Tala," Reza called after the woman. "I trust I will not have to assign an officer to accompany you? My goods are safe?"

"Oh, your goods will be safe enough, aboard the Ryloth Storm, Madame Administrator," Oyani assured Anoran. "But, if you'd like to send someone along, fine by me; I could use the company." Her left lekku waved, and curled itself over her shoulder and around her neck. "All that I would ask is that, aboard my ship, and in matters not concerning your shipment; I am the Captain of the Ryloth Storm."

Reza chuckled with mirth that bordered on ridicule. "Did you hear that, Ril?" she asked her companion. "The little girl is playing at intimidating us."

Rilanna Kir looked the Twi'lek woman over. "Not an easy thing to do," she said. "I don't think it's working."

"I'm sure, Ms. Tala, that my assistant would be more than amused to accompany you." Reza glanced sidelong at Rilanna. "If that is agreed."

"Quite agreed," Tala answered. "And, I've no intention of being intimidating. That's hardly an easy thing for a Twi'lek. And hardly necessary; as the Coynites say, 'if a blade feels comfortable in your hand, it will wield itself'. So it is with command of a starship."

"It's much easier to put a blade in a man's ribs than to get that man to do what you want him to do," Ril said.

"Then, perhaps your assistant won't mind helping me." Oyani was smiling, a slight smile. More of a grin. "...to load your cargo."

"If you need assistance," Ril said with a grin, "I'll help. Our auto-loaders are effective, though they can be a little rough with cargo at times."

"Precisely my point," Oyani said. "I have a feeling that Madame Anoran's cargo deserves the courtesy of a manual loading." The Twi'lek stepped up to the side of her ship, a few feet from the boarding ramp. Her long fingers, with their dark fingernails, danced over some kind of control pad located there, and with a whirr of mechanical noise, the aft cargo hatched began to lower, forming a gangway that lead directly into the Ryloth Storm's cargo bay.

"A little modification of mine," Tala said, to her onlookers' unanswered question. "Easier to load a ship if you don't have to wander its innards with an armload of whatever you're shipping." And she flashed Rilanna a smile that might have been flirtatious.

The Twi'lek then moved to pick up one of the crates, and carry it up the boarding ramp.

Reza chuckled as she watched the two. "Happy flying," she sang, and smiled just for Rilanna as she strode away.

Rilanna watched after Reza for a moment, then rolled her eyes and picked up a crate to haul up into the ship.

"Incubus, Part 1"
By Vaya Bek, Padawan (PC)
& Qel, Force Spirit Guide (NPC+)

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Vadris 7th 4ABY

***

After Master Vorrel had given Vaya leave from their meeting, Vaya went back to the Temple. She had decided to explore some of it on her own and to find a nice quiet place for meditation. Vaya was feeling slightly concerned about the upcoming duties the Jedi faced. She didn't know what made her feel worse, the fact that she knew it was of great importance and that Laedra had had a sense of foreboding of it all, or that she simply didn't know what it was all about.

Vaya tried to clear her mind of such things as it was her place to follow her mentor's instructions and teachings. Laedra had told her a bit about the previous inhabitants of the Temple, the so called Ancients. Powerful and wise beings, Laedra had told her.

As Vaya roamed the halls and went floor to floor; she took in the ambiance of the Temple. It was like no other place Vaya ever recalled being within. The Temple was made of stone, it had high arches and stained glass like windows that let in colorful rays of light. Not like the technologically advanced places most people were accustomed to. The Temple exuded an air of a time long forgot, an archaic age as most people would say in comparison to the raw materials and basic-yet intricately pleasing design of the Temple. It was like the place had an aura of its own, in contrast to the hard edges and coldness of today's constructions and designs. Vaya felt very at home within the Temple.

Vaya found herself drawn into a room with a domed ceiling of the same glass that was found in other areas of the Temple. The walls were lined with some sort of glyphs, and there was an alter. Vaya followed along the walls, brushing her hands along the surface, amazed by the patterns; the glyphs were mere decoration to her eyes, but must have been some sort of language, she surmised.

She found a spot near the altar to sit and take in the room. It was very quiet. Vaya tried to imagine who these people were, some form of great Jedi. Vaya always loved stories of the old order of Jedi. She was intrigued by their devotion to the Force, to each other and to the peoples of the galaxy. She was simply amazed at the Force itself and in nature, the ways of life.

Vaya smiled to herself at the thought of her Master telling her she thought too much.

Perhaps she is right, perhaps she is not, a familiar voice said out of thin air.

"Qel?" Vaya asked with a smile.

You would do well to mind the lessons your mentor teaches, but further more, mind your instincts, Vaya, mind the Force.

"I know, Qel, and I shall as best as I can," she replied with a bit of sarcasm.

You will do well here, Vaya, this place is strong in the Force, very strong.

"So I have been told, do you know anything of these Ancients?" she asked.

I never had any knowledge of them during my time, nor can I divulge anything of them now.

"Well what good are you, then," she said teasingly. "I have come here, I have been accepted and I have a new mentor to train me, as you should already know. So why are you here, Qel?"

The will of the Force. See...and Know, Vaya.

"See and know what?"

See and know, in time, you shall see and know. The Force is all around you, within you, of you, from you, because of you, it is you and you are it.

"Master Vorrel said something similar of the Ancients..."

She has seen, she has learned, she has known. Vaya, I cannot keep coming to you, I will be gone soon. The future is always in motion, never falter in your course, always be mindful, always trust in the Force. Open yourself to all and all shall open before you. In time you shall see and you shall know, always will you learn...

There was silence for a long moment.

"Qel?" Vaya asked into the air. "Qel?"

But nothing.

Vaya relaxed and took a meditative posture. She crossed her legs and laid her arms upon them, palms up and her hand open and relaxed. She controlled her breathing as she cleared her mind of thoughts and feelings, stretching out in attunement to the Force. She could feel the rock floor, the walls, the glassed dome as if it were a part of her being. She stretched her senses and stretched ever more like a bubble with her at the center. She was attuned in the Force, aware of herself, yet not actually conscious of her being, for she was in a state of transcendence. Her body was still and motionless, lifeless to the naked eye, but full of life, full of life. In her meditative state she felt the presence of the other Jedi and students, like hot coals burning brightly. She saw the Temple from above, and then the cityscapes beyond, and the planet itself, the system with its stars...it all flashed before her eyes and yet it was as if it was all a part of her being.

The galaxy continued to zoom both outward and inward of her center, so many stars and planets, and ships and peoples and creatures. She felt them all as if it was part of herself. She felt as if she were flying. The galaxy itself opened up before her in all its brilliance. It continued to zoom away and yet it also seemed to zoom forward. The maelstrom of stars and energies continued to unfold and zoom past, zoom forward and fold in upon itself until the brilliance of the galaxy was but a spec. Everything seemed to stop at once, yet she felt as if she was still for a long time and not having been slowed or stopped abruptly. A form seemed to be outlined by the stars and it took a while for Vaya to recognise the form...it was herself. An outlined figure of herself made up of stars and energies with the galaxy burning intensely in the center. She felt herself drawn closer to the form as the galaxy expanded outward, filling her. She felt both a sensation of being drawn away and being drawn in as the galaxy burned brighter and brighter. Flashes of the different races overlapped before her eyes, melding into what looked like a single being. She felt a surge of emotions, one by one, then two by two and then in multiples until they were indistinguishable, like one all encompassing emotion of joy, hate, happiness and sorrow, fear and confidence...it was almost confusing, yet it was as familiar and natural as it was to breathe. She felt cold and warmth and hotness in all degrees and radiances, the coldness giving way to warmth and heat and the heat faded into warmth and coldness again in a mad cycle.

She saw the galaxy from afar again, but not just the galaxy; she saw the planets as well and she saw cityscapes in different stages or ages, all overlapping. She saw different people of different races, ages and sexes, saw them in one time era and again in another as different people, and yet as the same people. Everything seemed to swirl and meld together...everything was so bright it was blinding until everything went dark again, and all was quiet and serene.

Vaya awoke from her trance and she laid there for a moment. She couldn't remember where she was, she couldn't remember anything. She felt like she was stuck, in the middle of nowhere yet feeling like she was everywhere. She tried to sit up but she could not. She didn't feel like she was trapped or that she had a sensation of restraint, she just didn't feel anything, not her eyes blinking, not her heart beat, nothing. Slowly her vision began to reveal the temple room she was in, and then she remembered, remembered where she was, but didn't remember why or what she had been doing. She lacked all sense of time and self. She began to realise that she couldn't even feel her own tongue in her mouth or anything.

She saw herself stand up, as she would if she were standing, but she had no feeling or sensation of standing. It was as if she were not in control of her body, for she could not feel herself, nor did anything obey her commands. She felt a strong urge of disorientation and anxiety. She felt like gasping for air, but could not. She felt like she was being smothered and suffocating, but she was not. She tried to relax for a moment, and still she felt nothing at all, no loss of breath or the fading from lack of oxygen. And again she was walking and moving, yet again she had no sensation of it at all.

Her body moved to the stairs and she exited the room and went down and down. She could see her arm out-stretched along the wall for support, but she did not feel the stone. She seemed to be off balance, yet she didn't feel it.

She didn't feel.

She was out in the hallway.

She was walking.

Then she stopped.

She saw herself gaze at her reflection in mirror. It was her, and it was the first time she felt as if she were herself, looking at herself. She was both looking outward and inward of herself, a strange and ethereal sensation. Then she noticed her eyes. Her eyes were yellow and glazed over. She had brown eyes. Her hand touched her face and her fingers ran through her long brown hair.

I must be dreaming... she thought to herself.

You're not, a voice said as if it was her own, but she did not recall seeing her lips move in the mirror.

What? Vaya asked, thought.

You are not dreaming, you are here with me, I am here with you, the voice in her head said again, much like her own but with an odd accent.

Vaya was good with accents, good with speech patterns. It was an ability all Lorrdians learned and knew. A Lorrdian could tell a person where they were from by their speech patterns, accents, dialects, and as well as from their body languages. Vaya hadn't a clue as to the origin of the accent she heard from the voice.

Who are...you? Vaya asked.

Who are...you? the voice asked in turn.

I am Vaya, who are you and what have you done to me?

I am, and I have done nothing and I have done everything.

You are what? You said 'I am'.

Yes, I am, I am as you are.

You are controlling me, Vaya said.

I am and I am not. You are you and I am I, as we are, as are we, the voice riddled much to Vaya's displeasure.

"Incubus, Part 2"
By: Vaya Bek

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Vadris 7th, 4ABY

***

Vaya awoke in her room.

It was late.

She stumbled out of her bed feeling very groggy and disoriented. She could not think of what time it was, or what day it was. She noticed that she was still dressed in her Padawan robes. How strange, she thought to herself at her feeling of lost time and disorientation. She sat back down on the edge of her bed and rubbed her eyes and her head. She tried to think about the last thing she could remember. She kept drawing a blank until she remembered talking with Laedra. She got a bit excited and raced out the doorway, fearful that she had slept through the Jedi having left for their mission that Laedra had mentioned about.

She about slammed into the wall as she hauled ass out of her room and ran down the hallway. She passed by a section of hall that had a stone ledge with a mirror and some plants.

The mirror! Vaya thought with exasperation.

She remembered.

She stopped dead in her tracks, nearly falling over from the momentum and abruptness of her stop. She turned around and walked toward the mirror.

Was it a dream? Vaya thought. A vision from the Force?

Vaya peeked her head around the plant that laid on one side of the ledge in front of the mirror, as if she was going to see something other than her own reflection. Like she saw before, or thought she saw, or thought that she had thought that she thought she saw before!

Vaya peered into the mirror, and saw only her lovely self. Her long brown hair, wavy and a bit messy - bed head. Her soft brown eyes, and her smooth beautiful skin of her face. Her eyes were a bit a shady though, the darkness under her eyes were barely visible, yet it produced a frown from Vaya.

Like what you see, Padawan? a voice said from out of nowhere.

It startled Vaya and she jumped back from the mirror.

Well, aren't you a bit jumpy, jumpy, jumpy!

"Who said that?" Vaya asked outloud.

Hmmm, said what, my dear?

Again the voice was heard, but Vaya now felt as if it were more like her own voice, as she would hear inside her own head.

"Who...are you?" Vaya asked.

I am, and you are, the voice replied in an all too familiar riddle.

Vaya began to remember the events prior to her awakening. She looked at her chrono and it had only been a few hours since she last could remember.

How odd, Vaya thought herself.

Indeed. Oddity, the voice said.

Now Vaya knew the voice wasn't coming from around where she was, for she had thought to herself and the voice had replied.

Vaya stretched out with the Force, stretched out with her feelings. She felt herself in the Force, but she felt something else too. Where she could feel and see her aura, bright and warm, there was also a dark coldness about her.

It abruptly dissipated.

Now now, little girl, the voice chimed in a song like manner. Be careful what you search for, you may not like what you find!

What are you? Vaya asked and demanded.

I am and I was and I want to be again.

Show yourself, Vaya demanded.

Hahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, you wish to seeeeeeeeeee?!

I don't find any of this amusing, now what or who are you?

Awww, yes, you are getting mad? Angry? Show me, I want to feeeeel.

I am not angry, why would you wish me to be angry? Is that your desire? For me to become angry? Vaya asked.

Desire, yes. Desire. Do you not desire, Padawan? Hmmm? Desiiiiire.

Vaya was beginning to feel scared now, more confused than anything.

Feeeeear? Are you afraid girl?

I...am not.

You lie...lie, lie! Deception! Mmmmmm, yes.

You are in my head.

Am I? Or are you in mine, mine mine!!!

What do you want with me then? Vaya asked with some tiredness in her voice.

I want you, I desire you, can I have you?

No. You cannot, Vaya said.

Vaya stood there for a moment. Stood in silence. She heard nothing. Then she felt something, a slipping within herself. She felt like she was falling, though she was standing. The room seemed to move and sway, and her vision blurred until everything went dark.

"Speederchase"
by: Leija, with several sundry criminal NPCs

Location: Ord Mantell
Date: Vardis 7, 4 ABY

***

Two guards stood outside the hotel where Fit Gareel was throwing a party to make a spectacle of a Twi'lek dancer who had rejected him. They stood on either side of a door that served as the hotel's rear exit, and servant's entrance. Their job was to see to it that no one came in or out.

Nearby was a small repulsorlift speeder, in case they needed to give chase.

And between the teeth of each guard was rolled, smoldering weed that gave off a heavy, pungent odor when it burned. Both men were smoking, and they were talking in low voices between them.

"I wonder what's going on in there?" one asked.

"Dunno. But I'm betting Boss Fit kills that Twi'lek," said the other.

"Pity. She was something to look at," said the first.

"Yeah, I know. And if I know Boss Fit, he'll force her to strip and dance naked for that crowd in there before he cuts her lekku off.... very slowly," said the second.

The first man just nodded and grinned like an idiot.

"Sorry I'm missing it," the second guard said.

Then the door opened. It slid aside slowly, and both guards saw, at the same time, the form of a blue skinned woman with long black hair. She moved out of the doorway with a slow, steely grace, and turned her glowing red eyes on the men. One of them held a blast pistol on her. But she smiled.

"Relax, boys," she said. "What's going on here?"

"Who are you?" one guard asked. "We're not supposed to let anyone in or out without Boss Fit's orders," said the other just as quickly.

"Well, now that may be a bit hard to manage," Leija, the Chiss bounty hunter replied.

"Why!?" grunted the man with the blaster, and it came out more like "Whuh?" than why.

"Gimme one of those cigarettes, and I'll tell you." Leija's voice was soft and seductive. The man smiled and reached into his jacket pocket, letting one hand go from his blaster. He produced one of the rolled leaves and handed it to Leija. She placed it between her teeth with a firm, biting motion. And then she smiled at the men. "A light?"

The other guard reached into his pocket and produced a small device that looked like a stubby comlink with one end pulled off to expose the wiring. He hit a small stud on the side, and the wires began to glow a soft red, not as bright as Leija's eyes. He held it to the tip of her cigarette, and then he gave an odd choking grunt.

A blade had been passed between his ribs and into some of his more vital organs. The lighter fell from his hand. The other guard stood, his eyes wide, his blaster quivered in his hand. Leija had the element of surprise.

She yanked her blade from the first guard, and spun quickly, delivering a savage kick to the wrist of the hand that held the other man's blaster. The weapon fell to the ground as the wrist snapped. The man gasped in pain, and soon joined his blaster on the cold steel of the hotel's steps, as Leija's blade dug deep into his chest.

The Chiss woman had long lost any conscience about killing, if she felt the job she was on was just to have taken in the first place, then lives would be forfeit to see to it that she completed her task.

She sheathed her sword, and leapt over the corpses, racing for the speeder that had been placed there for their use.

And even as she did so, inside the hotel, the form of a muscular Rodian bent over the body of Fit Gareel. The Rodian had a scarred face, and there were bits of metal embedded in the scars that ran down his right cheek in three parallel lines. His snout twitched as he felt for his master's pulse. There was none. Boss Fit was dead.

"Find that Chiss!" the Rodian boomed in a voice that was at the same time youthful, and deep. "Kill her. Bring me her eyes!!"

Several forms scrambled into motion at once...

... and even as Leija ignited the engines of the speeder she was trying to steal, a throng of men poured out onto the roof of the hotel. They divided into groups of four, and climbed quickly into three speeders that were waiting there. Leija heard their engines erupt into a whining cacophony even as her own speeder came to life.

She hit the throttle and her speeder lurched away from the building, moving quickly upward, and away at the same time. The three pursuing speeders filled with Fit's goons followed after. Leija could hear shouts in several languages, and it wasn't long before blaster bolts were hurtling past her, filling the cold night air of Ord Mantell with the smell of ozone.

Leija kept her head down as she steered the speeder as best she could. She was bound for the main starport, where her ship, the Harbinger, was docked. But, she couldn't let Fit's men follow her there. They could ID her ship, and track her down, and Fit's Majordomo, the Rodian called Feelo would place a bounty on the bounty hunter's head.

She turned her speeder down an alley, but her pursuers followed close behind. Energy bolts hissed over Leija's head, and one shot struck the transparesteel windscreen in front of her. It melted a small, round hole in the transparent metal. Leija grimaced at the stench. And threw her speeder into a higher gear, pulling the throttle upwards so that the vehicle moved both up and forwards, as it came out of the alley.

The three pursuing speeders kept up with her. Leija glanced, quickly, over her shoulder. And a blastbolt flew past her face. She could feel the heat of it, but she was otherwise unharmed. As she returned her attention to the way in front of her, a steely look of cold determination came over her lovely face.

Not too far away a chubby looking Askajian woman and her human lover were looking at soft, silken gowns in a fancy clothing store nestled inside a large mall that was also home to, among other things, a gambling house and a speeder dealership. The mall was on the top level of a large complex that also included officespace. And some of that was rented out to a recently deceased gangster called Fit Gareel.

The askajian held the gown up in front of a large window so that her lover could see it shimmer in the light of Ord Mantell's moon. "See, darling... it would be so flattering on me."

The man she was with had a wide-eyed expression on his face. His mouth fell open, and he dived, tackling the askajian to the floor. She giggled, thinking he was getting passionate. But he was not. He had simply looked past his lover's rotund form, to see the speeder, moving at top speed, and heading directly for the window she was standing in front of.

The glass shattered with a deafening crash, as Leija's speeder broke through, sending shards and slivers everywhere. Leija flew directly over the dumbfounded couple, and on, into the spacious clothing store. Three smaller speeders flew through the broken window in pursuit.

It was a tight squeeze, dodging her speeder between racks filled with exotic clothing, and avoiding close encounters with frightened customers. But, Leija managed to steer her vehicle into the center of the store, or at least that particular floor of the structure. The three pursuing speeders followed at a close pace, but did not fly as carefully. One of them set a rack of jackets on fire gunning their engines. And another knocked a man down a spiraling stairwell that lead to a lower level.

Leija would, occasionally, as she flew between merchandise, and customers, glance quickly over her shoulder to check on the progress of her pursuers.

They were still on her tail. That wouldn't do. So, she steered the speeder into the dead center of the store. A smile crossed her lips. Luck was on her side. The center of the store and the entire mall, was a long tube that opened onto a tall fountain on the very bottom level of the structure. It was like a tunnel to the ground level, that opened on several shops on different levels of the mall.

Leija turned her vehicle, and pushed it up to a slightly higher altitude, barely missing the ceiling of the clothing store. Then she sharply twisted her throttle, causing the speeder to turn 360 degrees. A flame leapt from the engines that fueled the repulsorlift field as Leija turned the vehicle, and sent it racing down the shaft. Her pursuers were close behind, and two of them managed to duplicate her turn, and follow her down.

The third, however, did not. And that speeder went at the top of its engine's capabilities out of the store, making its own exit in the farther wall of the structure. It turned end-over-end as it burst through the wall, dropping occupants into the street far below, before it exploded into a ball of green and orange flame.

The floor of the superstructure came rushing up towards Leija. She could barely discern the clear water of the fountain from the floor it was gushing up from. But she knew she had to turn quick, or become another mess for the mall's janitor to clean up after the business district closed for the night. She could hear the roaring and whining of the engines of her pursuers behind her. And even as their vehicles descended at an alarming rate of speed someone managed to fire off a blaster bolt.

The Chiss felt the spray of water on her face, suddenly, and pulled back on her throttle, throwing it to the right at the same time. Her speeder lurched, and suddenly she was surrounded by spraying, splashing water. Then she was out of the wetness again, as the speeder passed through the fountain and on into the ground floor of the mall, where a casino was located.

One of her pursuers duplicated the turn. The other did not. And a green and white speeder with two long arm-like projections protruding from its body crashed into the fountain. A burst of red flame that threw debris in all directions was the result. And Leija ducked low in her pilot's seat as several shards and bits of metal went sailing over her head. The water of the fountain steamed, and a thick, stinking smoke rose to fill the air of the mall.

Leija aimed her speeder for an exit as soon as she spotted one. Transparent doubledoors. She gunned the engines, opening them as wide as they would go. And she ducked her head down low. Her glowing eyes closed. And she felt the impact of the nose of her speeder on the doors. There was a crashing and a rending sound as the speeder leapt from the interior of the mall, and out into the cold night air of Ord Mantell.

Leija sat up straight again in her seat. She looked over her shoulder and a frown was on her face. One pursuing speeder remained. A word of Huttese profanity escaped her lips, as she pulled her speeder into a dark alley, taking it in the general direction of the main spaceport.

Her pursuer stayed close behind. There were two humans and a Trandoshan in the vehicle. One human was flying, one was speaking into something, and the trandoshan was standing, and bringing a long-barreled rifle up to take careful aim at the Chiss in the speeder ahead of them.

Leija took another look over her shoulder, in time to see a blasbolt belch from the rifle. It struck her speeder in one of its rear engines, and the craft bounced and jolted, as if it had struck a pocket of turbulence. Leija cursed again, and returned her attention to her driving.

The Trandoshan continued to fire, and the bolts were coming closer and closer to hitting their target - the back of Leija's head. She had to do something. She had to get that speeder out from behind her despite the risk. Taking her throttle in one hand she reached over her shoulder, to where a long strap was attached to her armor. The strap held three cylindrical shaped devices on her back, below each shoulder, for a total of six.

They were grenades. Small, handheld varieties of a much more dangerous full-sized mine. But due to the nature of these explosive devices they were just as deadly, or moreso, than any other hand-held bombs. Leija picked one off her back, and with her thumb popped the activating stud on its top. A low beeping, almost imperceptible in the roar of her burning engine, began. Leija waited a few more seconds and in that time, three more blastbolts hit her speeder. One struck the fuselage just behind the pilot's seat. Another hit the seat in the capsule next to her. And the third put another hole in the windscreen in front of her, having barely missed her right ear.

That was enough. Leija tossed the small grenade over her shoulder, back, towards her pursuers, knowing that their own momentum would catch them up to it in no time. And then an evil smile crossed her face. She gunned her engines to put as much space between her and her pursuer.

And then the grenade went off, just as the trandoshan was taking aim to destroy it.

And for a single second every sound in the alley was squelched. It all went silent, as the sonic grenade absorbed the sound waves that surrounded it in the bubble of energy its explosion created. And then, through the same reaction, the bubble burst, releasing the trapped, and compressed sound. The result was a low, loud boom; like some giant had hit a deep note on a huge electronic instrument.

And the single, thick, deadly wave of sound this created traveled outward from the center of the explosion. It engulfed the speeder before its loudness began to fade, and all that the three inside it could do was hold their ears and scream. The speeder, and its occupants were torn to pieces by the intently vibrating soundwaves.

As Leija turned her speeder, sharply, to duck down an alleyway and escape the outer edge of the blast.

It was even darker, and colder, when Leija finally pulled her speeder into the spaceport, to park it beside the hangar where she had docked the Harbinger three days before. She knew the planetary authorities, such as they were, would be looking for the woman who wrecked a profitable shopping superplex, and probably did some serious structural damage to other buildings with a sonic grenade. She had to get off world fast.

No time for a preflight.

She killed the speeder's engines, hoping no one would see the plume of smoke slowly rising from its burned main engine, and she ducked inside the hangar, her hood pulled up to cover her face and hide the glow of her eyes.

Maybe ten minutes later, the engines of the Harbinger fired. And Leija lifted off, taking her ship through the open canopy in the roof of the hangar. The Harbinger rose into the night sky of Ord Mantell, and no one noticed it got. Except for three forms standing on a roof that was part of a building that served as a sort of "command center" for the spaceport.

One of them was a Rodian with a scarred face. "Follow her," he ordered, still remembering the sight of his dead master lying on the floor in their hotel. "If she leaves the system, track her. Don't come back, until she is dead!"

The other two figures both gave some kind of salute. And then they ducked down into a stairwell, to carry out the orders of Feelo, Boss Fit's Majordomo, and now, ruler of a powerful criminal empire.

"Memories"
by Reeve
Jal Saren, Bounty Hunter (NPC+)

Location: STAR-RUNNER, Deep Space
Date: Vadris 7, 4ABY

***

Jal Saren reclined in his seat, stroking his chin thoughtfully. He had just agreed to take a contract from a man who, for the last few years, had actively been trying to kill him. Talk about your unexpected developments.

Jal thought back to the first time he and Gherig Hoff had crossed paths. Jal had been a smuggler then, and had recently lost his employer due to a "series of misunderstandings" (that's what Jal liked to call it. Really, it was because his former employer had caught Jal in bed with his wife). He was on the run, and Gherig Hoff took him in. Jal had acquired himself a small, but noteworthy, reputation as a skillful smuggler.

Jal worked for Hoff for a few months, and he was beginning to enjoy it. The pay was good, the work was simple (though not always easy), and Jal managed to keep himself out off all the seedier sides of Hoff's business. Jal might be greedy and untrustworthy, but he didn't like the thought of terrorizing the innocent or killing people. Fortunately, Hoff was content to keep Jal as a smuggler, and Jal never had to deal with any of that unpleasantness.

Of course, it was too good to last. When a small moon colony refused to allow some of Hoff's ships to stop and refuel, Hoff was not happy. He may not have been the most powerful crimelord, but the territory he did control, he very jealously guarded. He sentenced the residents of the colony to death, then ordered Jal Saren to open fire.

Jal didn't do it. So, in retaliation, Hoff opened fire on Jal's ship, damaging it severely. However, Jal was no slouch at piloting, and managed to turn the situation around. He led Hoff's ship away from the colony, into a nearby asteroid belt. Jal's ship was much smaller and more maneuverable than Hoff's, and Jal managed to escape- taking an entire cargo-bay full of Hoff's spice with him.

Since then, Hoff had hunted Jal. Jal, of course, sold the spice and used the money to buy some improvements for his ship, then decided to take up bounty hunting, seeing as how he was fairly sure his reputation as a smuggler was shot. Up to now, Jal had made a decent living at it - not very well known, but he always got the job done.

Now, though, Jal wasn't sure. He didn't trust Hoff, and felt reasonably sure this was a trap of some kind. Still, though, the lure of 50,000 credits (Jal had talked him up from the initial 20,000) was difficult to resist. So, he had AP set course for Tae'Karada, to find the man that Hoff seemed to hate so much.

Of course, if Jal wanted to trick himself into thinking this was about something more than the credits, he could have. He had read a little bit of Reeve's file after his talk with Hoff. Reports were sketchy and very rare, but it still painted a fairly disturbing picture. From what Hoff had told him, Reeve was unlike anyone Jal had ever faced before - superhumanly strong and impossibly smart, trained as an elite commando and assassin. And, apparently, he was a merciless killer, his victims easily numbering in the hundreds or higher.

Of course, he had pissed off Gherig Hoff, so Jal figured the guy couldn't be all bad. But still, Jal doubted that they would become very good friends, especially since Jal was only coming to kill him.

Oh well, Jal thought. He's certainly no innocent, and I could certainly put 50,000 to good use.

A small light began flashing on the console in front of him, catching Jal's attention. His droid co-pilot, AP, had already noticed it.

"We're nearing Tae'Karada, sir," AP said. "Bringing us out of hyper-space now."

"Set us down in Thanatos," Jal said. "Somewhere out of the way, preferably."

"Roger, sir," AP said.

Jal looked out the cockpit window towards the planet of Tae'Karada. Somewhere, down there, his mark was waiting. Meanwhile, Jal's old enemy, Gherig Hoff, was on his way.

The next few days were going to be pretty interesting, to say the least.

***

Location: Thanatos, Street

Reeve pulled his sword out of the Twi'lek's chest and wiped the blade clean on the alien's clothing. This bounty hunter had proved to be no more skilled than the others - indeed, this one was a good deal worse. He had actually tried a direct attack on Reeve, trying to stab him with a small vibro-blade.

The fool. Reeve felt the galaxy would certainly not miss someone that stupid.

After cleaning his blade, Reeve returned it to its sheath. He then looked up and smiled at the small collection of on-lookers who had witnessed the exchange. It was clear that the Twi'lek had attacked first, so Reeve did not feel he was in any legal danger. Instead, he merely smiled politely at the assembled crowd, and gave them a slight bow, before turning and continuing up the street.

Reeve hardly noticed when a modified Corellian freighter flew overhead, heading towards its landing platform. And even if he had, he would not have suspected that it was conveying yet another bounty hunter to Thanatos.

And this one would not be so easily dispatched.

"Preparations"
by Reeve
Horace, Bounty Hunter (NPC)
Griffon, Bounty Hunter (NPC)

Location: Thanatos
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

"Let me look!"

Horace pushed Griffon aside with a meaty hand and peered out the hole in the rotted wall of the dilapidated shack they had hidden themselves in. Outside, the streets of Thanatos were dark. A few scattered lamps flickered, casting eerie shadows that seemed to dance and move.

But it was not these things that interested him - he was instead looking at the entrance to the building across the street. It, too, was a run-down old shack, though it was in a good deal better condition than the one Horace was currently inhabiting.

Horace frowned. He never was very patient. If it was up to him, they'd just bust in there, blasters drawn, and lay waste to anything that moves. Of course, according to the brief they'd gotten on this particular bounty, such tactics would essentially be suicide.

But that's why Horace kept Griffon around. His weasely sidekick may have been core-slime, but he was smart, and he had a head for planning. Although Horace bullied him around, he knew that he needed Griffon to succeed in this business.

"Oh, fer fuck's sake, Horace," Griffon said, scowling. "You could'a just asked me to move."

"Shut up," Horace said, not looking away from the hole. His own frown grew wider. "Are you sure this is where they said he was?"

"For the hundredth time, yes!" Griffon said, walking towards the table on the other side of the room and sitting at the stool in front of it. "The Rodian in the cantina told me that Reeve was using this place as a hideout. He knows that there are bounty hunters after him, and he wants to keep a low profile, but the Rodian saw him go in and out of that building late last night and earlier this morning."

"Fine," Horace said. "So, what's the plan again?"

"Dammit, Horace," Griffon sighed. He picked up a small mouse-droid that had been sitting on the table, and held it out for Horace to see. "We take this modified mouse-droid and fit it with an explosive. We wait for Reeve to return and go inside, then we send the mouse-droid across the street and into the building. Then we detonate the explosive from here using this remote detonator."

"What if he never shows up?" Horace said.

"Just shut up and watch for him," Griffon said. "If you miss him, this whole plan is shot."

Horace shook his head and returned his eye to the hole in the wall. It was difficult for him to focus, but he managed to make out at least shadowy outlines of everything. And he certainly noticed when a figure clad in a black cloak appeared out of nowhere from the darkness. He stopped in the middle of the street, and seemed to be looking around for a moment. Then, the figure stepped towards the shack across from where Horace was watching. It paused for a moment, the opened the door and disappeared inside.

Horace smiled. At last.

"Griffon, he's home," Horace chuckled, turning towards his partner. "Is it ready?"

"Yeah," Griffon nodded. "Let's fire it up."

He switched the mouse-droid on, then took it to the door and slowly opened it, just enough for the tiny droid to slip through. It immediately began moving across the street, almost silent, unseen in the darkness. Griffon watched it for a moment, before standing up and going to the window of the shack and carefully peering out.

"Alright," he chuckled. He raised the detonator in his hand, looked over at Horace, and nodded. Then, he pushed the button on the detonator.

They waited. And waited. But no explosion came - no deafening boom or bright flash of light. The streets remained silent. Griffon frowned, pushed the detonator again, and again. Still, there was no explosion.

Furious, Griffon hurled the detonator across the room.

"Dammit!" he said. "A dud! We drop 3000 creds on a remote explosive, and the damn thing doesn't even work!"

"What do we do now?" Horace said, his hand resting on his blaster. "We could just run in there, shoot the place up. This Reeve guy ain't blaster-bolt proof."

"Great idea," Griffon frowned. "Maybe while he's killing you, it will give me a chance to--"

He stopped, because he suddenly saw the faint outline of a mouse-droid leave a small opening in Reeve's shack. Raising an eyebrow, Griffon moved to the door of their own shack and opened it, kneeling down to pick the mouse-droid up even as it rolled its way onto their doorstep.

"What in the hell...?"

"What's going on, Griff?" Horace asked. "How come it came back?"

"Well, it's just following its usual programming," Griff said, examining the droid in his hands. "Normally, they deliver whatever it is they're carrying and return to whoever sent them. Of course, this one was supposed to explode."

"So fix the damn thing," Horace said, looking out the hole in the wall once more. He didn't see any movement or signs of life in Reeve's shack across the way, but he felt the hairs on his neck standing up, as though he were being watched himself.

Griffon's attention, meanwhile, was fixed on the mouse-droid. He took it over to the desk and, grabbing a tool, popped the chassis off the tiny droid. Griffon was only half listening to Horace as he examined the droid's inner workings. He could easily identify the basic parts to the droid, and immediately recognized the small explosive he'd installed inside the droid.

But these things did not hold his attention for long. Griffon noticed something else inside the droid, something that hadn't been there only moments earlier, when he'd set the device on its way to Reeve's. It was a small, blinking device, loosely wired on top of Griffon's own explosive.

Griffon's eyes widened.

"Man, I can't wait until we dust this asshole and collect our pay," Horace said. "How you gonna spend your half, Griff? Probably waste it all on some damn science shit or supporting your fucking spice-habit."

Horace looked over at his partner, disappointed that his barbs had not elicited their usual response. He saw that Griffon was looking back at him, eyes wide, face pale. His mouth was moving slightly, as though he were trying to say something, but couldn't form the words.

"What the hell's the matter with you?" Horace asked.

Griffon did not answer, but Horace had no further time to reflect on why that could be. For shortly after asking that question, there was a loud noise, and Horace could feel his ears pop as a sudden wave of almost pleasant warmth washed over him.

Then the warmth turned to searing pain, and then there was nothing but darkness.

***

In the darkness of his own shack, Reeve did not even look up when he heard the explosion. Instead, he casually tossed his own detonator aside and returned his attention to the desk in front of him. Laying on it was his own sword, removed from its sheath, glinting in the firelight of the pyre that now burned behind him.

Reeve picked up the rag he'd been using and continued to clean his blade. There were few things in this galaxy that Reeve could say he truly cared about, and this sword was at the top of his list. With it, he had cut down scores of enemies, even a Jedi or two. It was the finest sword ever made by mortal hands, as far as Reeve was concerned, capable of slicing anything or anyone in twain with by the slightest effort. It had been built, Reeve recalled, by a master swordsmith on a planet on the far reaches of the Outer Rim. The swordsmith had been rumored to be the finest weapon-maker in the galaxy, and Reeve commissioned him to build the finest blade ever created.

The swordsmith delivered in kind, and Reeve had to admit that he was certainly impressed by the man's work. Of course, Reeve killed him shortly afterward, to ensure that his sword would always be unique. But still, Reeve did appreciate the man's immeasurable talent, and the sword had not left his side since.

Outside, Reeve could hear the sounds of people emerging from their homes to gawk at the burning shack. He did not care - those bounty hunters had been the worst kind of amateurs (he'd spotted them the other night, and had certainly noticed when they suspiciously took up residence right across the street), and dismantling their childish explosive and rewiring it to his own detonator had been easy. They had deserved what they had gotten, and Reeve would pay them no further mind.

Instead, his thoughts drifted to Gherig Hoff... the crime lord who, even now, was approaching the planet.

Reeve smiled. Hoff was approaching more than just Thanatos... he was approaching his own death.

Reeve gave the sword a final look-over to make sure it was immaculate (and it was), then returned the blade to its sheath. That sword had tasted Gherig Hoff's blood once before... and it would again. Very soon now.

Very soon.

"The Game Is Afoot"
by Reeve
Jal Saren, Bounty Hunter (NPC+)
Gherig Hoff, Crimelord (NPC+)

Location: Thanatos, Street
Date: Vadris 7, 4ABY

***

As Jal Saren meandered down the streets, he noticed his comm-link was beeping. He removed the small device from his belt and activated it.

"What is it, AP?" he asked.

"I have the news briefs you asked for," his droid's voice replied over the communicator. "It would seem that Reeve has been very active."

"What's the scoop?" Jal asked.

"Well, there is a report of a freighter landing in Thanatos a few days ago," AP said. "Only one passenger disembarked. Later, the freighter's crew was found murdered in the cargo-hold."

"Charming," Jal said. "What else?"

"There have also been several recent unsolved murders, most of them committed with some type of bladed weapons. Eyewitness reports place a man of Reeve's description at the scene in each case. One of the victims was a wealthy merchant named Budo Pumbular... a search of his ship revealed that Pumbular had been robbed."

"Must have needed credits," Jal said. "Is there anything else?"

"Of course, sir," AP said. "Apparently, a swarm of sting-flies has been sighted approaching a small farming community just outside of--"

"Alright, alright," Jal said, shaking his head. He knew that AP was deliberately pulling his leg, but that didn't make it less annoying. Jal had heard that if you went too long without wiping a droid's memory, it tended to develop personality quirks. Jal just wished that "sarcasm" wasn't one of them. "Look, AP, just contact me if something comes up that you think I should know about."

"Roger, sir," AP said. "What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to mingle," Jal said. He then shut the comm-unit off and returned it to his belt.

As Jal continued down the street, he began wondering what the best way to go about this was. He immediately ruled out any kind of direct assault - judging from the examples of the dead bounty-hunters that tried before, that sort of approach was suicidal at best, and Jal had always hoped he'd live to see retirement.

Some sort of trap, then, was probably the best way to go. But there, too, was a problem - Reeve was not stupid. Not only that, he had Imperial training in assassination... surely, most types of explosives, poisons, or other "booby-traps" would be easily spotted and dismantled.

As Jal continued, nearly lost in thought, he accidentally bumped into a man wearing all-black clothes, with a rather menacing-looking sword hanging at his side. Jal apologized by reflex, but as he looked up into the man's face to offer his typical "Sorry, friend," his eyes widened.

It was Reeve.

Jal immediately forced himself to not look surprised. After saying "Sorry", he immediately continued on his way, doing his best not to look back. He couldn't tell if Reeve was suspicious or not - indeed, their encounter had only lasted a few seconds - but he didn't want to risk tipping the psycho off until he was more prepared.

Of course, bumping into him on the street was certainly not something Jal had been expecting.

***

"Sorry, friend."

The man walked quickly away then, not casting a second look in Reeve's direction. Reeve watched him for a moment, then turned and continued on his way. Something about that man, the way he purposefully avoided Reeve's eyes, had caught Reeve's attention for a moment, but Reeve quickly dismissed it. Worse case, the man was just another soon-to-be-dead bounty hunter - in any case, Reeve could have cared less.

Instead, Reeve's thoughts were on Gherig Hoff. The crimelord was on his way - he would arrive in two days - and Reeve still was not sure how he would get to his old enemy. Hoff and Reeve had crossed paths before, and Hoff would surely not be too eager to allow a still-living Reeve onto his ship... except, perhaps, under the right set of conditions.

Reeve stopped. He turned, and looked behind him, for the man who had, just a moment ago, bumped into him. The man had disappeared into the crowd, but Reeve had the man's face burned into his memory now. He would keep an eye out for this new "friend" of his... if Reeve was right, that man was going to play a vital role in Reeve's effort at "squaring up" with Gherig Hoff.

***

Jal Saren peeked out from the alley. He saw Reeve stop moving, then turn and look behind him, in the direction Jal had run. Fortunately, Jal had decided to cut out and duck into this alley before Reeve had taken that second glance. Jal watched until Reeve finally began walking again, this time casting no more backwards glances. When Reeve finally rounded a corner and disappeared, Jal emerged from the alley.

Jal cursed himself silently as he headed back towards the hangar where his ship was docked. He felt pretty certain that his cover was blown - that second look back from Reeve certainly seemed to indicate that he was suspicious of Jal - and that was going to make things a touch more difficult. According to the reports, Reeve had an uncanny knack for killing off those who tried to kill him, and Jal really wanted to avoid being added to the madman's list of victims.

As Jal walked, he thought about his position. So, the chances were high that Jal's cover was blown - if Reeve saw him again, no doubt he would be on his guard. A direct attack would be suicide. A trap would likely be no more successful. Instead, Jal was going to have to rely on something else entirely.

Tactical misdirection.

***

Location: Thanatos, Hangar

Jal stepped onto the ramp and boarded his ship. AP was seated in the co-pilot seat, still running over recent news-briefs in an attempt to find more information about Reeve and his movements. Jal considered telling him he could stop - Jal already knew where Reeve was, and doubted that more information on who he'd been killing recently was going to be of much use - but decided against it. At least when he was doing that, AP would be quiet, and Jal wouldn't have to suffer through his droid's irritating sarcastic comments.

"Honey, I'm home," Jal said, as he plopped down into the pilot's chair.

"And how was the office, dear?" AP shot back, not even looking up from the screen he was so intently focused on.

"Any calls?" Jal asked.

"Your mother left a holo-message for you," AP said. "She's complaining that you never come and visit her anymore."

"Well, last time I did, she did nothing but nag me about my 'string of poor career choices'," Jal said. "Besides, in case you've forgotten, we have Gherig Hoff gunning for us half the time, so visiting with family isn't exactly the safest bet."

"Oh, I understand fully, sir," AP said. "Still, I believe you would do well to call her back sometimes."

"Right," Jal said, shaking his head. "Anyone else?"

"Gherig Hoff, actually," AP said. "I told him you were out, he said he wanted you to make contact with him as soon as you returned."

"Great," Jal sighed. "The one thing missing from my day."

***

Location: Armored Freighter, FOE-HAMMER, Hoff's Chambers

"Incoming transmission, sir," came a voice over the comm.

"Put it through to me," Hoff said. The screen before him changed immediately to the grinning image of Jal Saren. Immediately, Hoff was infuriated - he'd always hated that smug little grin that Jal always seemed to be wearing - but he did his best to bite back his anger. After all, for all he hated Jal Saren, Gherig Hoff hated Reeve a thousand times more.

"Good morning, sunshine," Jal said.

"Saren," Hoff scowled. "What have you discovered so far?"

"Funny you should ask," Jal said. "Actually, I've already bumped into your friend Reeve."

"He is dead, then?" Hoff asked.

"Ah, no, actually," Jal said, adjusting in his seat. "See, I wasn't kidding... I actually just bumped into him. Wasn't even expecting to, really - just a chance meeting."

"Idiot!" Hoff said. "Reeve knows your face now! You think he won't see you coming?!"

"Relax, Gherig," Jal said. "I have myself a plan, don't you worry."

"I'm all too familiar with your 'plans', Saren," Hoff said, shaking his head. "And I'm sad to say that I have less than total confidence in them. That's why, this time, no mistakes. I want you to bring me Reeve alive... I will kill him myself."

"Alive?" Jal asked. "Are you kidding me? You've seen this guys track-record - hell, you sent me his track-record - and you want me to try and bring him in alive and kicking?"

"Just alive will do," Hoff said.

"Oh sure," Jal said, rolling his eyes. "Snap, maestro. Just like that."

"If you feel you can't do it, I can always offer the contract to someone more capable..."

"And you think they have a better shot at it than me?" Jal asked. Hoff, as much as he hated to, had to admit that Jal was right.

"Very well," Hoff said. "What will it take?"

"100,000 credits," Jal said.

"100,000!!! That's double what I was already paying you!"

"And bringing Reeve in alive is going to mean double the planning, double the work, and double the risk," Jal said. "I think double the pay sounds about fair, don't you?"

Hoff was furious, but he reluctantly had to agree.

"Very well," Hoff said, his scowl deepening. "100,000 credits, then. And you better have him ready by the time I arrive."

"You just worry about getting that money to me," Jal said. "I'll take care of the rest. See you in a few days."

Hoff flicked the monitor off.

Gherig Hoff hated Jal Saren, hated the way the rogue always had a come-back, always taunted and teased. But, Hoff knew, Saren wasn't all talk. The man had proven to be more resourceful than anyone Hoff had ever met - if anyone could take down Reeve, Hoff felt that Saren could.

But that didn't mean Hoff had to like it. Nor did it mean that Hoff would forget about Saren's insults, when the time came.

"Cargo Run"
by Oyani Tala
Rilanna Kir
R4-B4 (NPC Droid)

Location: Ryloth Storm (Oyani Tala's ship)
Date: Vadris 7, 4ABY

***

The Ryloth Storm's oblong shape pulled away from the Drogen Shipyards at a steady, easy pace. It didn't appear to be in any rush, as its sublight thrusters pushed it out into space.

In the ship's cargo hold, Oyani Tala, the Twi'lek who owned the barge, was double checking the stacks of crates she had taken on to transport to the New Republic headquarters. It was a special load of cargo for Shrezade Anoran, administrator of Drogen. And Oyani had no idea what it was she was shipping.

But, her instincts told her it was something illegal.

And that added an air of adventure to what might have otherwise been a dull run.

After Oyani had finished checking that the cargo was secured, she returned to the small cockpit from which she flew the Ryloth Storm, stepping over the red-domed R4-B4 on her way. The droid gave a series of beeps and went on about his business, which was taking him in the direction of the ship's primary engines.

Oyani ducked her head down, and stepped into her cockpit. Her companion was waiting for her. Rilanna Kir. A lovely young woman clad in a black outfit that accentuated a shapely figure, and also served to add a hint of menace to her appearance that was further enhanced by dark eyes, and hair.

Oyani offered her a smile, and took a seat in the pilot's seat. She pulled off a pair of tan colored gloves, and spoke. "Please, have a seat, Ms.... well, I'm afraid I don't know your name. That won't do. This may be a short trip, but I'm sure you don't want me calling you miss; or The Woman in Black, or something all the distance."

"My name is Rilanna Kir," she answered. "So, I guess you can call me Rilanna, or just Ril."

"Well, I'm Oyani Tala," the Twi'lek answered. "But, I'm betting you knew my name before I first saw you in the docking bay on Drogen. You're Anoran's bodyguard, right ?"

"Sort of," Ril answered. "I'm head of security on the station."

"Your name isn't unknown in this sector," Oyani said. "I've heard of you. You might say your reputation precedes you. I hope you won't hold it against me, back in the docking bay - my remark to the effect of always being captain on my vessel?" The Twi'lek stretched her long legs out so that her bootheels rested on the console of the ship. "I mean, this is my ship; but I do have an open mind. And if we do run into trouble, it will be good to have your blaster pointed away from me, and not at me."

Ril laughed softly. "Don't worry," she said. "I'm pretty good at having my blasters pointed in the right direction. I've been captain of my own ship before, and I'm head of security on the station. I know what it's like. And, I hope captain's syndrome doesn't set in if we run into a problem."

"It won't do for us to both be trying to captain the ship," Oyani offered. "Especially if we're getting shot at at the same time! But, I've only owned this tub for a few months. I won it in a game of chance with a Sullustan. So - your experience is welcome. Refreshments?"

Though the area of the ship that was not taken up by the cargo hold was relatively small, Oyani had managed to make it livable. It wouldn't do to be on a long run, and have nothing but your cargo to keep you company.

The Twi'lek had had the foresight to install drink dispensers, and the like in reasonably accessible areas of the ship.

"Sure," Rilanna said. "Whatever you have."

Oyani nodded, and left the pilot's seat. The ship was set to automatic navigation, with the coordinates Anoran had given the Twi'lek plugged into the navcomputer. She left Rilanna with a view of the stars from the Storm's wide, ovalesque transparasteel cockpit windows.

Normally a trip to Tae'Karada's moon would be a simple process. Given the covert nature of their shipment, however, it required a little more finesse. They were still an hour away from their destination. Ril turned her attention to the outside, watching.

Oyani returned with the drinks. She handed Rilanna hers, and plopped herself down in the pilot's seat, sipping her own through a long, narrow tube. Oyani's drink was thick, and milky, and had a greenish tint to it. "Oh..." the Twi'lek noticed Rilanna looking at the liquid through the thick glass, that was beginning to frost on the outside, indicating Oyani's drink was a cold one. "This is a confection that I acquired a taste for, whilst on Naboo some time back. It's a lactile concoction - very cold, and flavored with a combination of mint and chocolate. Very good." She took a long sip of it through her drinking straw, as if to emphasize her point.

"Thank you," Rilanna said as she accepted the drink. She tried a sip, and nodded. "This is very good, though yours looks very interesting. Perhaps if there's time later, I'd like to try one."

"On the return trip, we'll celebrate," Oyani replied, holding up her glass. "You'll like it." And she offered Rilanna a flirtatious smile.

The Twi'lek's right lekku curled over her shoulder, and the tip quivered in Rilanna's direction, as she spoke, but whatever words Oyani had intended to accompany the lekku-gesture never came out. A small red light on her console began to flash, and it was accompanied by a small sounding beep.

Oyani put her drink on the floor at her feet, as she began studiously looking over her instruments. "We've got company," she said to Rilanna. "Two ships, coming in. Take the co-pilot's seat and have a look. Familiar?"

Rilanna's drink was set aside, forgotten. She slid into the co-pilot's chair and brought up all the information she could about their pursuers. "Tae'Karada ships," Ril said. "They're vectoring in behind us. Turn to mark seven-seven, we can shoot around the moon and hopefully lose them with some fancy flying. You can fly fancy, right?"

"With the weaponry originally installed on this ship," Oyani said, "I probably wouldn't be here if I couldn't." The Twi'lek sent her long fingers running back and forth across her console, making adjustments to various settings that would enable the cargo ship to function with a greater degree of maneuverability. She gripped the flight control in one hand and reached up and behind her with another, activating a comlink.

"R4 - we're being followed. Just as a precaution, bring the shields on and angle them to block fire from behind us," the Twi'lek very nearly shouted into her com. The little droid's muffled beep could be heard in reply. And Oyani watched a readout on a small screen. Red aurabesh lettering translated the droid's beeping into something Oyani could understand.

"Double the aft shield power, and charge the guns," Oyani ordered, her green eyes darting over to another readout, as a small screen lit up, showing the level of power charged in the new weapons systems she had recently installed.

Her eyes then fell on Rilanna. "You know how to handle a blastcanon?" Oyani asked.

"I can't think of many weapons out there I'm not qualified to handle," Rilanna quipped as she spun around to face the tactical instrumentation.

"There's a targeting scanner, hooked up to that console." Oyani gestured quickly to a small console directly behind the co-pilot's chair. There was a small seat there that did not look too comfortable. "If it comes down to shooting... well... you may have to protect your lady's shipment."

"I think I found it," she said. "And, don't worry about protection. With Shrezade Anoran, I've got that down."

The Ryloth Storm lurched forward with the two ships in pursuit. Oyani handled the controls like one would expect of a smuggler, and the ship did a roll, as it pulled into an elliptical flight path that would take it around the moon at a tight angle.

"Head for the satellite at seven three mark five," Rilanna called out. "I'm jamming them, but I can't be certain they didn't get something out before. I don't think we want to open fire here, not if we want to live. So, whatever you can do to lose them, do it."

Wordlessly, Oyani hit the controls, to set the Storm on the course Rilanna had indicated. The cargo vessel went into a sort of slow barrel roll, as the engines kicked in for extra power, and the ship sped forward. With Oyani's modifications, the Ryloth Storm was an easy match for just about any ship, except perhaps a Corellian freighter, in speed and maneuverability.

The Twi'lek's left lekku shot out, working like the prehensile tail of some primate, to slap a control that was slightly behind her and above her head. There was a beep, and Oyani knew the comlink was open. "R4 - maintain all available shield power on the aft shielding. Minimal forward shields. Reroute unnecessary power to the sublight engines." The astromech responded with a series of beeps and hoots, which Oyani checked, quickly, on her translator readout.

She then turned her green eyes on Rilanna. "You know... you give orders well." Her tone was sultry, and openly flirtatious. "I don't mind, at all, if you want to command me, some time." Her lekku moved upward, slightly, in unison, and their tips quivered as she spoke. She made sure she made eye contact with Rilanna before turning her attention back to her console.

Rilanna smiled at Oyani, an eyebrow raising slightly at the comment, just wondering if the underlying message was the one she was getting. "I'm sure we can work something out," she said.

The Ryloth Storm sped forward, with the two vessels in pursuit. But, the cargo ship proved either faster, or maneuverable - or maybe Oyani was just a better pilot - because somehow the freighter managed to reach the satellite ahead of their pursuers. Oyani put on an extra burst of speed as the ship reached the proper position for a standard orbit around the moon, Oyani slowed the craft. But her hand hovered over the controls, her fingers tensed as if anticipating some further action.

"Oyani," Ril said as she glanced between the scanners and the pilot.

"Trust me..." Oyani's voice was barely a whisper. And the patrol ships closed their gap rapidly. Just as they were within range of weapons, or tractor beams, Oyani hit the control to accelerate the thrusters. At the same time she slapped the steering column, sending the ship into a rapid port-side roll, and subsequent descent towards the moon. This left the patrol ships scrambling to follow.

The Ryloth Storm dipped into the moon's atmosphere. "R4 - enhance power to the forward shields!" Oyani called into the com. The little droid beeped his reply. The Twi'lek pulled back on her throttle, and the ship lurched upward, struggling to exit the thin atmosphere of the moon as quickly as it had entered.

The Tae'Karadan patrols were trying to follow. Oyani watched the heat meter on her control panel carefully. "Rilanna..." she used the woman's first name. "Above your head, second control panel to your right. Hit the blue switch."

Rilanna did so without hesitation. Her eyes were still fixed on the scanners and the ships pursuing them. The weapons were ready and trained, just in case. She was beginning to understand what Oyani was doing, and the concern had faded. Now she just had to hope they -- and the Ryloth Storm -- had what it took to get them out of the mess.

In response to Rilanna's actions several small ducts on the underside of the Storm began venting some kind of near-vaporous substance that soon had the Ryloth Storm sitting on its on little greenish-blue cloud. As the cloud dissipated, Oyani heaved a sigh of relief. "There... our exterior hull temperature is back to normal."

The freighter shot from the moon's atmosphere as if it had been pushed by the angry hand of some giant being. Oyani quickly threw the ship into a sideways role, and hit the thrusters, up to full. The Storm disappeared behind the moon, and there was no sign of the Tae'karadan patrols anywhere. The ships must have followed the Storm into the moon's atmosphere, and were probably still trying to find the ship, assuming it had gone on towards the small moon's surface.

Oyani eased back on the throttle, and turned to face Rilanna again. "Well... I think we lost them. As long as we can find a blind spot back here. Or even a decent place to land." As she spoke the Twi'lek removed the dark leather flight jacket she was wearing, to reveal a skimpy sleeveless top. She tossed her jacket over the back of the co-pilot's seat.

Ril glanced over at Oyani and smiled. "Nice flying," she said. "Check down right over there. Looks like a nice spot from up here."

"It's going to get hot in here, really fast," Oyani said. "I had to vent most of our coolant to prevent a hull-breach. I'll have to replace it manually, but I do have a couple of spare tanks." The Twi'lek smiled at her, "You wanna lend a hand? An astromech isn't very good at that kind of work."

Rilanna smiled and nodded. "I'd be happy to," she said. "Let's set down, and then take care of those tanks."

Oyani smiled at Ril, letting a lekku wave in her direction as she returned her attention to her controls. With the Twi'lek's gentle touch on the throttle, the Ryloth Storm eased its way down onto the surface of the moon. Oyani put down in the spot Rilanna had indicated, nestling her ship in a deep canyon with tall plateaus of rock on either side that could serve as a crude sensor blind for any ships that might come looking for them.

After the landing thrusters had fired to ease the ship down, and the gear had deployed, Oyani turned again, in the pilot's seat. The steam purges were blowing as she spoke next, sending little puffs of white steam into the air surrounding the ship.

"Let's get to work," she said to Rilanna, and she led the way from the cockpit.

Rilanna slipped out of the cockpit after Oyani. She didn't have much to worry about; their location would be good for a time, and by the time anyone figured out where they were...they'd be long gone.

The pair moved through the tight corridor that separated the cockpit from the rest of the ship. The Ryloth Storm was shaped like a large oval. Some would have called it melon-shaped, or even bug shaped. Originally it was little more than a large cargo bay, with a cockpit stuck on the front. Oyani had made several modifications. There were now small crew quarters, and a couple of guest cabins. There was also a small kitchen, and sort of common area just aft of the cockpit where passengers could sit, talk, and refresh themselves in flight...nothing too luxurious, mind. Just the basics.

It was in this common area that Oyani bent down to lift a hatch panel that was disguised as part of the floor's bulkhead. "You first?" she suggested to Rilanna.

"Sure," Rilanna said with a smile as she slipped down through the hatch.

What Rilanna saw as she descended was a simple cargo hold. Not the ship's main hold, but a sort of auxiliary compartment. There were some crates of supplies here, and in one corner she spotted the two tall coolant tanks. They were each as tall as she was and she wondered how heavy they would be.

Oyani came down the ladder that gave access to the hold by placing her feet on either side of it, and holding onto the sides loosely with her hands. She slid down, to land with the thud of her boots on the deck plating. Her lekku bobbed and weaved with her movements.

She hit a control near the ladder, and the dim illumination of the hold increased. "Not much room in here, so we'll have to work pretty close quarters," she commented to Rilanna as she moved towards the tanks. "I've got some grav units I can attach to the tanks, but we'll have to guide them up to the man deck, and into the engine room. It's really a tight fit in there." She glanced over her shoulder at Rilanna as she said the last part. "Aren't you hot in that?" the Twi'lek asked her, referring to her dark top that covered and yet displayed the shape of her comely figure.

Rilanna looked down at the heavier pullover she wore, then up at Oyani, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Just a little," she said, though she had to wonder if it was more than just the heat in the ship causing that.

"It's going to get awfully warm in here," Oyani told her. "I'd lose that top, if I were you. Unless you don't have anything underneath it." She looked up at her companion, and in the dark corner of the hold her green eyes seemed to shine. "Of course... no one will see you here. Just me... and R4. It won't distract my work."

Rilanna laughed softly, then reached down and tugged the top off, leaving her wearing a tanktop. She tossed the heavier garment aside and smiled at Oyani. "Much better?" There was a twinkle in her eyes as she looked at the Twi'lek smuggler.

The Twi'lek stared, unabashedly, at the lovely sight in front of her. "Beautiful, but deadly," she commented, aloud though she may not have realized it. "You know... I wish I had you on all my cargo runs."

Rilanna raised an eyebrow. "Really?" she asked with a smirk. "And why is that?"

"Why... to keep the patrols off my tail, of course." But something in the Twi'lek's smile hinted at other meanings in her words besides those she spoke openly.

"Yeah," Ril said with a smile as she watched Oyani. "That sounds like it might be...fun."

The two went to work. Oyani attached an antigrav unit to one of the coolant tanks, and activated it. The repulsorfield pushed the tank off the deck, and it hovered there waiting to be moved in whatever direction Tala wanted it to go. She handed Ril one of the antigrav units, instructing her to do likewise.

"With these little belt-things attached these tanks should move with the slightest nudge," Oyani said. "Even up that ladder. We need to get them to the engine room, and we'll install 'em there."

Oyani pushed her tank slowly, passing carefully in front of Rilanna, and on, across the small cargo bay area. She steered it deftly, towards the ladder. Once there, she hit two small controls on the antigrav unit, and the tank began floating upwards. The Twi'lek indicated for Rilanna to do the same, as she came behind.

The tank slowly floated out of the cargo hold, and Oyani climbed up after it. She then turned, letting her tank hover close by, to help guide Rilanna's out of the hold. When both tanks and both women were back on the main deck, Oyani closed the cargo hatch. It was getting hotter. Sweat was beading up on Oyani's forehead, and lekku. Her red skin shone in the light of the common area. Her top had even become dampened, as had Rilanna's.

Oyani tugged at her halter like garment that was all that was covering an ample bosom. She exhaled in a sort of half-whistle. "We'd better work fast, or we'll melt. This ship took quite a heating up in the upper atmosphere. If I hadn't have vented that coolant it probably would have cooked us." The Twi'lek shook her head, and her lekku bounced and danced behind her.

"I'll need to get some tools out of my cabin," Oyani said. "You can take the tanks into the engine room; it's just up this corridor and to your left. Access code 3242-Beta. I'll be along in a minute." The Twi'lek disappeared in the opposite direction. Rilanna could tell the heat was getting to Oyani.

It wouldn't be an easy task moving the two tanks along, but Rilanna was used to tasks that weren't easy. She hefted the first and slid it down the corridor, the antigrav unit humming softly. She couldn't imagine doing this without the antigravs. She imagined she and Oyani would die if that were the case. Though, she thought, I can think of worse situations I'd rather die in. She grinned as she stowed the first tank and went back for the other.

She had the second tank down the corridor and halfway through the door when she heard Oyani's approach. "Almost got it," she said, and tossed a grin back to the Twi'lek.

The sight that met Rilanna's eyes caused them to open a bit wider. Oyani had removed most of her clothing. Or, perhaps she had changed into something different. One way or the other there was a lot of her deeply colored red flesh visible. She was wearing the same sleeveless top that she had had on before. She was barefoot. And she was wearing a pair of shorts that fit tight on her muscular frame. Her red skin was damp with perspiration. Her lekku swayed to and fro as she approached Rilanna. In one hand she held a tool kit, and in the other a small, metallic object.

She passed the toolkit to Rilanna. "You did good." Oyani smiled. "Now, all we have to do is hook 'em up, and hope that cooling the hull doesn't tap them out again. These two tanks are all I've got."

"If they don't last," Rilanna said as she examined the toolkit and decided it would work for her, "we may end up being here for awhile."

Oyani lifted the little metal thing in her hand so that Ril could get a better look at it. "I designed this myself," she said as she pulled on either edge of it. As Ril watched the object split down the middle, and Oyani turned the resulting arms up on themselves. A metal gripping device - a player - popped up its head, and Ril could see that the two metal arms that formed the handle had other tools embedded in them like some kind of folding knife with several blades.

"We'll do one at a time," Oyani said. "So... where would you like to start?"

The Twi'lek looked from one tank to the other, and back to her lovely companion.

"Let's start with this one," Ril said, tapping the one on the left. She shifted the tank forward until it fit snuggly into the recessed slot that held the tanks. "Should be pretty easy." She flashed Oyani a smile as she set to securing the tank in place, leaving the connections to her companion.

Oyani returned the smile, and knelt down to begin her work. "You know, I just realized I could actually catch a chill in this outfit when we turn the coolant units back on," she commented. The Twi'lek worked her unusual tool in and out of the slots, connecting wires, and splicing conduits until the tank was properly attached to the ship's coolant system. Then she stood, rubbing the sweat from her brow with the back of her arm.

She wasn't wearing a headdress, as most Twi'lek women would. And there was something almost indecent about it; especially in the way Oyani moved. She closed her eyes tightly, and shook her lekku, before opening her grey-green eyes again, and looking into Rilanna's own.

"It certainly is hot in here," Oyani commented.

Rilanna held Oyani's gaze with a slight smile. "Yes," she said, "it is rather warm in here, isn't it? Come on, let's get that other tank."

The two crossed the length of the small engineroom, where Rilanna had let the other tank come to rest. Oyani gestured to her companion. "Be my guest. Slip it into the slot just like you did the last one."

Rilanna grinned and moved to get the last tank into place, passing very close to Oyani as she did. It took a couple moments, but finally it was resting in place and ready for the final connections.

Once the tank was in place, Oyani went into her procedure of attaching it to the circuitry. When she was finished she reached for the comlink that was normally contained in a pouch on her belt. But she did not have on a belt. She gave a look that could have been embarrassment, but perhaps she was just amused with herself. Rising, she moved from the tank housing to a panel on the wall of the engineroom. Hitting a stud on it, she spoke into a small com unit.

"R4, check the coolant system."

She was answered by a series of beeps and hoots. Silence. Then another series of sounds from the droid, as the indicator panels on either side of the tanks, which were now both only half visible, lit up to let the two women know they were properly installed and working perfectly.

"Alright... it's gonna get a lot cooler in here fast," Oyani commented to Rilanna

"Might be kind of nice after the heat," Ril said. Her tanktop was clinging to her skin from the heat and sweat, but she didn't mind, especially since Oyani was in the same situation. She didn't mind at all.

"I'll keep the temp to a medium setting," the Twi'lek said. "I don't know about you, but I'm comfortable. Whadda ya say we finish this run...unless you'd like to take your time ?"

"Taking our time might be nice," Ril said, not pulling her eyes from Oyani. "But, if we get this done, we may have some free time...to cool down and stuff. Come on, let's get back up to the cockpit and get moving."

"Sounds like a plan, to me." Oyani smiled deviously, and turned her back on her companion, moving away with a slight wiggle in her walk, lekku swaying in a gentle rhythm, as if to some non-existent tune, as she walked.

A few moments passed, and the Ryloth Storm lifted off from the moon's surface. Rilanna Kir was at the co-pilot's controls, setting a course for the final destination of their cargo run.

"Deals and Debts"
by Kaede Aoki

Location: Nar Shaddaa
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

The Naboo Royal Cruiser landed on a docking bay in the spaceport of one of the regions of the smuggling moon of Nar Shaddaa. The markings on the ship gave it away as belonging to the Gardan Corporation. And though Alicia Ashantee Gardan was the one who was known to travel in this particular vessel, she was not onboard it this time.

Instead, Kaede Aoki, Alicia's personal guard, was the one to walk down the ramp, followed by two guards. She mumbled something to them and took the lead, paying the docking bay manager ahead to spare any possible future questions. And even though this was under the request of Alicia Gardan herself, Kaede had found that it was a good way to prevent snooping around, which was fine by her.

She looked around for a few seconds and walked out the docking bay alone. At the exit she looked at the high buildings that seemed to go on forever. Nar Shaddaa was known for its vertical streets, and yet it was not appealing to Kaede. This, however, was not a pleasure trip, so it needn't be appealing at all.

She found what she was looking for and gave away a small smirk. Soon enough... she told herself, as she walked through the street to catch a nearby lift that took her to the street directly above.

On her way to the lift a man, who lurked in a nearby corner, approached her. He was badly dressed and had an odor like a bantha. "Wanna buy death sticks?" he asked as he tried to keep pace.

Kaede barely acknowledged him. "I don't do drugs," she waved off.

"Ahh, but these are good ones. I stole them off a rich kid who came by, just like you!" the man continued. "I am sure they are worth a lot, but for you...a special price. What do you say?"

"No," she answered bluntly.

"No?! Come on. Just try it once," the man insisted.

Kaede stopped and turned to the man. "If you don't go away right now, I'm going to break your fingers. Now, leave me alone. I have pressing matters to attend to."

The man looked back at her and studied her for a few seconds with a mocking smile. "You?! You couldn't break my fingers even if your life depended on it!" he laughed. "Now, either you buy the death sticks or I'm taking your money anyway!" he threatened, now serious.

The niponic girl tilted her head slightly, then took a fast stance, kicking the man in the chin. As the man yanked in pain, she punched him in the face, breaking his nose and then twisted his arm, making him let the death sticks drop. She then grabbed his fingers and twisted them in a way that the man was down on his knees in a second.

"Now, this is where you are wrong. I can break your fingers. In fact, there are twenty eight spots which I can break in them," she told him. "And the fact is my life would not depend on it, but yours would. As for money, you are taking none. And you are lucky that I am in a good mood, so I am letting you go, provided you go this instant and take a bath."

"I'm sorry... I was just talking!" the man screamed, just before Kaede let him go. As soon as he was free he grabbed the few deathsticks that were nearby on the ground and fled the scene.

Sighing, Kaede made her way to the elevator. Luckily, she wouldn't have any more mishaps before she was able to leave Nar Shaddaa. The elevator took her up and she was almost instantly near the place she was looking for. The holographic sign confirmed the name and she walked into the bar.

Two rodian guards stood at the entrance and one had his hand up and motioned for her to stop. He spoke to her, but she didn't need any translation, even though she did not speak rodian. It was obvious that there was no admittance to weapons. But then, she was not carrying none, or at least none that would be detected by scannings.

Having been let through, she walked to the bar and nodded for the barman. The man was a blue skinned alien that resembled a human in figure, although he had red eyes.

"What can I get you, young girl?" the barman asked.

"Jay-Jay Brooks, the owner. Do you know where he is?" she asked directly.

"Maybe... Depends on who's asking," the bartender said simply as he studied Kaede.

"I work for Miss Alicia Gardan. Jay-Jay is expecting me to come see him. Is he here?" Kaede asked again.

"I will see if he is in," the bartender answered as he pressed a comm button. He mumbled something to the comm, but it was inaudible to Kaede. A few seconds later the barman nodded to the girl. "Go up these stairs. Last door on the corridor," he pointed out.

"Thank you," Kaede bowed. She then made her way up as she was told. The door at the end of the corridor opened before she got there. It lead to a small room, before the main office. The second set of doors opened and a chubby man was there to greet her.

"Miss Aoki, I presume. I have the information you come to get... Please, sit down," he motioned to a chair opposite his desk.

"I won't take much of your time. Just looking to get what I came for and leave," she replied. "I assume you have it ready?" she asked.

"I have it right here," Jay-Jay replied with a grin. He handed over a small datapad and a cube and Kaede placed it in a small bag she had with her.

The girl was about to leave when she heard shots from down below in the bar. There were screams and there were more shots being fired. Not a good sign. Kaede moved to the edge of the door and peered fast to the grounds. Gamorreans. Surely here after having been paid by someone. Possibly a Hutt.

"What's going on? Who sent these Gamorreans?" the girl demanded as she looked at Jay-Jay.

The man swallowed dry. "I might have a small debt with a local casino that is sponsored by a Hutt. Please... You have to help me!" he asked. "I don't want to die!"

Kaede sighed. The Gamorreans were coming and they meant to do what they had come to do. And the small security of the place was no threat to the Gamorreans nor had they been enough to stop them. The large bulky porcine-like aliens made all the way until the room that was just prior to the office.

Jay-Jay, was hiding under his desk, which only made Kaede mumble something, cursing his cowardly act. But she knew that Alicia would want the man alive so she had better help him on this one. First she had to see and count how many there were.

She pressed the button that opened the doors and took a fast glance. Some Gamorreans fired but only after she was gone. Five on the right and two on the left, she told herself. She took two blasters from her back and checked them. Then, with a fast sweep, she fired upon the Gamorreans, then hiding again. Three on the right and one on the left... she told herself.

"We want Jay-Jay!" one of the Gamorreans said simply.

Ok... So Gamorreans act to the orders of a chieftain. Without him, they won't bargain. I think I just found the chieftain, she told herself. "Let's cut a deal," she offered.

"Deal... Make proposal to master Hutt. Come propose to Gnarl," the porcine answered.

Kaede moved from the edge of the door and appeared in full to the Gamorreans. They looked at her, but were defenseless to what was to come. Faster than any of them could react, she fired upon the chieftain and killed him instantly. As she had expected the others glanced at their dead leader and back at her.

"Now, go tell the Hutt to discuss personally new terms," she told them.

The Gamorreans respected anyone who killed a chieftain and lowered their weapons. If she wasn't firing upon them, then this moment was not one of war. One of the few rare occasions when they weren't brutes. Instead, one of them took a holocube and placed it on the floor so that Kaede could establish communication with the Hutt.

"Ahh... Jee swa mwa banda azalus pateesa sa con ta chuba," the Hutt stated to Kaede.

"Yes," she nodded. "You can tell them to leave. There will be no more bloodshed."

"And mwa moulee-rah?" the Hutt asked.

"You money will be paid. Jay-Jay will pay you all that he owes you with interest. I assure you," she stated.

"Porko mu-moolee..." the Hutt said as he thought about it for a while. "Tagwa."

"Very well then. Have your guards leave and I assure you that in forty eight hours you will have you money. If you do not, feel free to act as you will," Kaede bowed.

The Hutt nodded and shut off the communication. After that, the remaining Gamorreans left the bar, ignoring all the terrified patrons and leaving their fallen comrades behind.

Jay-Jay got up from under his desk and walked to the niponic girl. "I don't have that much money! I can't pay that debt!"

"Then you are cashing things you can't pay. In which case I suggest you don't play any more games that you can't afford," Kaede pointed out.

"How am I supposed to pay up in forty eight hours what I owe him?!" Jay-Jay asked in desperation.

"Frankly, Jay-Jay, I don't care. That's not my problem at all. I saved your life. I suggest you consider the payment, no matter what, because I won't be here to save your ass," Kaede replied as she started to leave the office. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go."

The bar owner was dumbstruck. But at least he had been given a few more hours and was still alive. Maybe he could find a way to win the money and seal off the debt fast.

Back on the streets, Kaede went back to the spaceport and left Nar Shaddaa as quickly as possible. Hopefully she wouldn't have to return so soon to that location.

"Business Agreement"
by Alicia Ashantee Gardan
Dumah Gardan
Kaede Aoki
and Akesha Valerious

Location: Gardan's Estate, Corellia
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

Akesha arrived right in front of the main door of the huge mansion. She could see the huge gardens that this place had. It resembled her estate. The gardens were properly taken care of, just like in her own home.

She walked through the door and saw Alicia and Dumah waiting for her. "Nice estate that you have here, Miss Gardan, very green," she nodded as she approached Alicia. Far away, hidden behind one of the columns of the mansion, Akesha could see the niponic girl. It was Kaede, Alicia's most trusted bodyguard.

"Thank you," Alicia smiled. "My mother prides herself of these gardens. She designed them herself. Please, come inside the house," she motioned.

Dumah bowed his head and offered his arm to Akesha, in order to escort her inside. "You are looking quite exquisitely ravishing, my dear..." he smiled, as they walked inside.

The inside of the house was huge, with adorned walls and large pictures, as well as a retro look to the main salon. Alicia showed the way into the study which was nearby. It was totally different from the main salon, and only consisted of a modern type desk with a single console laid upon it, and a black marble fireplace behind the desk, plus a couple of black leather chairs.

Alicia sat down and motioned for Akesha to take a seat as well. "I'm content to hear that a prototype is now ready for testing. Apparently the engineers are quite confident on the new fighter."

Akesha showed her white teeth briefly while she smiled. "Excellent! But I do want to hear what you think of the fighter. If this deal is made I must know where you stand! I do want my partners happy, just so they don't intend to betray me."

"You offend me by thinking that I would betray what we agreed upon," Alicia frowned. "That is not the way I conduct business, Miss Valerious. I keep my word and I keep my promises. Don't mistake me for someone who is ruthless like a Hutt!" she pointed out.

"I'm sure she meant well, sister..." Dumah said simply as he considered the words. Perhaps if Akesha was not totally sure that she wouldn't be betrayed it meant that she could betray them. And perhaps not...

Alicia sighed. "As for the fighter, if the figures I was given are correct, they seem more than enough to satisfy just about anyone into buying it. The team of engineers stated that the cortosis hulls stood well and that they are light and more resistant to impact and laser weaponry. And the fighter seems blessed with much maneuverability, which is good. Not too much on cargo capacity, but then again, they're not freighters but fighters. Yes, I am content."

"I'm sorry to offend you both, but..." Akesha nodded as she saw the huge living room. "I'm a person that learns from mistakes, and I was naive enough to be screwed by fellow partners. Thanks to the gods that I had my stepmother to help me in those times."

"Then perhaps you ought to have your stepmother with you," Alicia suggested. "I don't want you to feel... Uneasy with us. Not that you have to trust us, but I assure you that you will have no reasons to not trust me. I'm a person who keeps my word, and I value myself on the integrity of them."

"However," Dumah interrupted. "I would like to see a prototype myself and have it tested for us to see. Do you all agree?"

"Yes! The New Republic will choose a candidate to test the prototype for a while and he or she will make the presentation to you and me. I do hope that the prototype is successful," Akesha said. But even if this test failed she had many other projects. But deep down inside, she wanted for this test to succeed, to make up for all the projects that her father sold to the Empire, leading to the death of many innocent lives.

"Good. Let us know when this test is scheduled so we can all be there," Alicia nodded. "Apart from that, I think our meeting is done."

Dumah smiled and nodded. "Then perhaps you would like to stay and have dinner with me, my dear?" he asked Akesha.

"Yes, I'll gladly accept...if you let me choose the restaurant," Akesha said. She knew that Dumah was a playboy and had had different women pass by his bed, but then again, so many men passed in her bed. Still, she considered herself different from Dumah. She considered herself more humble than him.

"Of course," he nodded as he gestured for her to pass through the door first.

"Friendship's Hope"
by Kyra Ronso
and Xion "The Worm" Xandler

Location: Fanir's Restaurant, Yuarteira District
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

Kyra drove her swoop through the streets and could see in the eyes of common people the new recent news of the new two empresses. It seemed like a really bad joke, but Kyra knew that a representative of the government wouldn't joke about something like that. She only hoped that someone could intervene in the situation or more lives would pay the price.

Some victims had already paid the price. It was the 'Rippers Murder'. The news media had created this group to try and explain the recent events. Some young girls' dead bodies had been showing up in alleys. More than that Kyra didn't know, but what she knew was that sooner or later the Tae'Morad would ask help from the New Republic to resolve the case, and inside she wanted to be a part of that investigation, because it had been quite some time since she was part of an investigation case.

She knew that if she continued as a New Republic Intelligence Officer there wouldn't be cases like that. She was going insane if she had to continue that way. She felt like a stranger to Auron and Ellemiek, but the job made her the black sheep of the Concordia. If I stay one more minute as Intelligence I will go out of my mind! Wait I'm already there. It was lucky that no one noticed the bite she had on her leg, but she knew it was a matter of time until Auron would find it.

Kyra parked her swoop in front of Fanir's Restaurant and glimpsed around. She noticed that it was a place made for tourists. Here, at the Yuarteira District, there seemed to be more tourists than local people. She entered the restaurant and looked around, but there were no signs of Zion. She glimpsed at her watch and saw that she was already twenty minutes late and Zion wasn't there.

Kyra knew that Zion was a punctual person. She took a seat that stood right in the center of the restaurant. She glimpsed her eyes through the menu and saw that 90 percent of the food was spicy. Also, she had a small bag with her and for any eventuality she could take her usual dose of legacy. Payment for my mistakes.

Kyra stood for almost two long hours, waiting for Zion but there was no sign of him. Kyra started to think that he was not going to show up. She was almost deciding to return to Auron's parents' mansion, when Zion entered with his unique way, like some kind of a sand storm. She looked and tried not to show her boredom for having waited two hours for him. "You decided to show up? I was thinking that you weren't going to show up."

"Sorry I'm late," Zion said as he sat down. "But something urgent came up at the last minute and I had to take care of it. Anyhow...I have what you wanted to know," he smiled as he placed a small padd on top of the table.

"Good... So tell me what you found!" Kyra said with a look.

"Well..." Zion started. "I gotta tell you, it wasn't easy because most of the Imperial files belonging to Grand Admiral Tarkin were destroyed when his reign of terror fell. But there were some files which had some sort of backups. I was able to get ahold of a few and decrypt them, but I'm not sure what to make of what I found out..." he admitted. "Anyway, it seems that the Tarkin Legacy project is some sort of a bio-weapon. I can't say for sure that its chemical, but I wouldn't bet on it. It seems more of a mobile weapon of some sort. But what strikes me as strange is that there was a file that mentioned that Tarkin had his best team of engineers and his best team of biologists and xeno scientists work together in a secret lab. And after the project was complete he had them all assassinated to prevent the secret of what it was spread out," Zion explained. "And the odd part is that it does have some connections to the coordinates you gave me previously. Apparently that was near where the laboratory was. I included all this info on the datapad."

"Interesting. But where exactly did you find them? I searched all the computers that the Empire had, and I didn't find anything," Kyra nodded.

"Well..." Zion grinned. "That's why you're paying me to do this job, isn't it? Because you wanted info and I know where and how to get it," he teased. "Overall, what I can tell you is that any major company or any major faction has databases that have backups. Many of those are kept in computer storage and sometimes moved from place to place. Of course, this leaves a margin for stealing or spying and leaves traces. If you know where to look and how to break their codes and surpass security systems, then you eventually find what you're looking for."

Kyra smiled. "Of course..." She said it like she didn't understand half of what he said, but it made sense to her at a certain level. She sighed at Zion through his glasses and saw that something was still bothering him. "Zion, do you feel ok?"

"Yeah, I feel fine. But..." he hesitated. "Well... I do have one question. What the hell was it the last time I saw you. I mean, you were in a really bad shape and something happened. I never got to know what it was and I don't think I understand why you would call me of all people..."

"Well... You're the kind of a guy that I knew wasn't going to sell me out. My attackers could be anyone on this planet. Imperial spies, criminal organisations or something else. You're the guy I trusted the most on Tae'Karada," Kyra said. "And to tell you the truth, you're kind of guy many of these people wish to be friends with."

Zion laughed. "If you take away the Imperial spies part, I'm the kind of guy they pay to get information in the first place..." he commented. "I've been called many things, but never trustworthy. So I'll take it as a compliment," he smiled.

"And it is a compliment. Many people would have left me on that street bleeding to death. It shows that you care for the others, even if you deny it," Kyra glanced to him. "And I guess the reason you're late is because you care for others."

Zion laughed. "Nice try... But no. I'm late because I had a last minute job I had to do and it took me more time than I was expecting," he answered, though her words reminded him of Raeila. He wondered how she was doing and if he would ever see her again. He raised an eyebrow and looked at Kyra. "So... Is there anything I can do for you?"

Kyra knew that Zion had just given a pathetic excuse. Last minute job? Yeah right, and I'm the Emperor! she thought. But she decided not to press it further. He barely knew her and he was not going to tell her his problems. "Yes, you can do something for me. I would like to invite you for dinner. Just a way to say thank you for saving my life. Also, I've got a business proposition for you!"

"Sure. Dinner sounds good," he nodded. "But what of this proposal? What's on your mind?"

"It is more like a proposal, and the other is only to help a friend. But all will be explained at dinner." Kyra got up and put some money on the table. Enough to pay for the two drinks. "Let's say at eight at the entrance of the Chameleon?"

"The Chameleon?" Zion raised an eyebrow. "I like your taste in restaurants! That's a date!" he grinned. He then got up and followed Kyra outside. "You need a ride somewhere?" he offered.

"No, I got a swoop borrowed by my father-in-law. Well, more of a gift than borrowed. It is that one over there," she pointed to the shiny dark swoop that was right in front of the restaurant. It was a brand new swoop, with dark painting and a metal coil that shined when the sun hit it. Many people stopped on the street to marvel at the beauty that stood there.

"Wow!" Zion grinned. "That's a pretty nice ride! One of the latest models and one of the fastest, really. Only has a faulty computer that can't accompany its top speed and falls behind in GPS and connection to a map database. But I can fix that part for you. It's definitely worth it!" he smiled.

Kyra didn't know that this model had a faulty computer. Kyra thought it strange for the company to be stupid enough to sell a swoop with a faulty computer. Then she remembered that her father in law talked about some new GPS system. "This swoop has the new GPS system. I think the company replaced the system that you mentioned, but still if you want to have look at it, you can!"

Zion grinned. "I meant this new computer. The thing is they can't get an uplink that is fast enough to pin point your exact location if you go at the top speed it gives, because by the time it does pin point you, you're not there anymore!" he grinned. "This baby can go almost as fast as an X-Wing in the first ten seconds! But I can fix that uplink for you. Anyway, it should not matter if you don't go top speed..."

"If you know how to fix this computer why not make a deal with the company and create a good computer?" Kyra paused. "Like I said, computers and me don't get along. I just know enough to make a few things with them, nothing more." She sat on her swoop and glanced over to Zion.

"Well, the problem exists but only virtually. You see, the main problem isn't in the console, but in the type of connection that it has on this particular planet," Zion explained. "In order for the GPS system to work it would need to have top clearance to the main-frame for global position on this system. But that clearance is for government only. So, until they get a deal with the government of this planet, they can't grant a full cleared service. However, I can bypass that by giving you the clearance you would need. But that's illegal," he grinned. "Anyway, I'll see you at eight."

"Very well. At eight!" Kyra turned on the swoop and the engine roared as if it was a wild animal. She put on a pair of black glasses, smiled back at Zion and drove away.

"To the Rescue: Part 1"
By Amii'a Valor
Cloud Everblades
With Merk Krie
& Lt. Sul Fhurr

Date: Vadris 7th, 4ABY
Location: Gallor

***

Amii'a and her team had procured a fishing skiff from a loyal operative of Kitana. The first stage of the plan was for Col. Krie's Alpha team to strike out underwater to the prison isle, and await confirmation from Beta Team, as to the neutralization of the power generators.

Each team member had already been issued a personal transponder, to protect against being fired upon by the battle droids that Beta Team would deploy on the surface of the island, if there were to be any left by the time they extracted the prisoners. Each member also was in the process of suiting up in black water proof wet-suits and checking their supplies, weaponry and communication devices.

Amii'a turned to the new addition of the team, a hired gun from some source unbeknownst to her, someone loyal to the Gallorian cause. She was thankful for the help, she was sure they would need it.

"Do you understand the plan?" she asked the man.

Cloud didn't bear to look to her. "Yes...but do you have any plan to get out with the prisoners or are you going to wing it?"

Amii'a grinned. "We're gonna wing it."

Colonel Krie stepped up. "Alright people, Beta Team is in bound, let's get going!"

With that everyone straddled their submersibles and they were lowered into the frigid night waters. Their subbies were powered up, and they all disappeared beneath the dark cold waters.

***

Lt. Fhurr got the go-ahead and the cargo craft they had fitted for the mission was launched from one of the bays aboard the New republic Star Destroyer Star Fury.

Fhurr signaled to Colonel Krie's team on the planet that they were on their way for their part of the mission. They would enter the atmosphere of the planet Gallor in mere minutes.

"Alright boys and girls, fasten your seat belts and keep all your appendages within the craft! We are hot, cocked, locked and loaded!" Lt. Fhurr called to his team.

Fhurr lived for these missions, he was a career soldier and knew this would be his life until he died. He also knew it would be the death of him one day...but it was alright. To the rest of the galaxy he was already dead, just like the rest of his team. They were special forces, black-op specialists. They were some of the best in the galaxy at what they did. There was never any glory, never any official recognition, and they could never speak of their work in public. But to those like Fhurr, the satisfaction was in the work itself, and the lives they helped to save, and in the fact that they helped make the galaxy safer. All, in all...Fhurr just liked to blow shit up.

Fhurr went aft to the cargo hold.

"Syra, how's the kids?" he asked his tech-specialist.

"They are ready to play," she answered. "Just finished modifying the auto-slave units. I'd hate to be in their line of fire."

"Well, as long as they do their job," Fhurr said.

"Oh they'll do their job alright. They don't have the individual programming nor the mass slave programming they were created with, but I have worked my mojo, and they will work out just fine. Just don't lose your transponder, without it, you will be Bantha fodder!" she explained.

The team had procured a small force of aged battle droids from the Clone War era. They didn't have the programming as their predecessors, but Syra was a technical wiz, and she had retrofitted them with a homespun program. She had fitted the droids with a basic battle simulation program that commanded them to fire on all enemies. The draw back was that they could not be controlled by a central program or controller like the days before. They had not the time or the spare technology for such a venture. So she improvised. The only hitch she had was that the droids did not know friend from foe. So she utilised a basic friend or foe transponder used in military starfighters. It was a scaled down version, one that would allow each team member to wear a small transponder that would create a friendly bubble to the droids, all others were fair game.

"When we hit groundside we will be going in hot and fast," Lt. Fhurr explained. "These bad boys need to be employed ASAP, and then we all jump ship, let's make sure we are all ready, we don't have a moment to lose, you know the drill!"

These types of missions were all basically the same. You went in fast and hard and got the hell on out. No time to play.

Fhurr went back up to the cockpit as they were about to descend into the atmosphere of Gallor....

To the Rescue, Part 2"
By Amii'a Val'or (PC)
& Cloud Everblades (PC)
With Col. Krie (NPC)
& Lt. Fhurr (NPC)

Location: Gallor
Date: Vadris 7th, 4ABY

***

Colonel Krie took point as the team traversed the dark waters to their destination. Flanking Krie was Cara and Cloud. Behind the two mercenaries were three other New Republic special operatives and then Amii'a brought up the rear. Good in a fight and a natural leader, quick of wit and level headed, Amii'a knew when to abscond.

In what felt like hours, the team finally made it to the outer entrance of the tunnel they were to drudge through when the moment was right. Now it was the waiting game...a part of most any mission that most would claim was the worst and took the most nerve. When Krie got the signal from Beta Team that the power generators were hit and the prison forces were occupied, then they would make their move. They had to be quick, Beta Team couldn't hold the prison guards off for long, and as soon as they made it into the upper levels of the prison to extract those they had come for, it was a guarantee that they weren't just going to be able to walk out without a hitch.

***

"All right people...ETA 5 minutes!" Lt. Fhurr called out to his team.

"Auto pilot engaged..." an electronic voice called out as he switched control of the ship to an automated program.

Once they unloaded from the ship, it was preprogrammed to swoop up and nose dive right back down into the main power generator building. The ship was retrofitted with military grade shielding to help protect against any firepower from the prison facility. The ship was also juiced up with explosives in-between the bulkheads. A military grade explosive that was in a foam-like form. It was virtually undetectable, not that they had any worries about an explosives scan on the way. The explosive had a unique property that made it the most ideal medium for this mission. The substance enhanced in destructive power when it was ignited and joined with other explosive and flammable substances. When the ship crashed down, the explosion from its sublight engines would not only ignite the foamy explosives in the bulkheads, but it would enhance its destructive force, and it would burn like a sun going super nova in a concentrated explosion that was sure to vaporize the target.

"Here we go, people!" Lt. Fhurr called out as the proximity alarm clanged.

He could only image the commotion going on outside of the ship as the prison control tried to hail the kamikaze ship. Soon enough the ship was rocked with blaster fire, but the shields would hold. The ship rocked and juked with each blast as the red light in cargo bay turned to yellow, giving the signal that they were about to be dropped. When it hit green, the shit would hit the fan.

Fhurr signaled with his hand a three...two...one, as the light turned green and the ship came to an abrupt halt. The bow of the ship arched toward the sky as the rear cargo ramp was disengaged and the cargo of old Federation battle droids was dropped. The harnesses that the droids were attached to popped open and the droids came to life as they unfolded and armed themselves for battle.

"Roger roger! Roger roger!" they piped in unison as they fanned out and began their indiscriminant assault on anyone unlucky enough to be in their line of fire.

With that, Fhurr and his team jumped out and took defensive positions behind the line of droids. Fhurr smacked a button on his wrist pad to command the ship to proceed with its final phase. The ship rocketed into the air and a moment later it nose dived and began its sharp and lethal descent back to the ground.

"Roger roger! Roger roger!" the battle droids cried out in their comical battle cry. The air was alive with blaster fire, warning claxons and the mechanical cry to battle by the battle droids.

Fhurr watched as the ship dived back down to the power generator building and slammed down to the ground with an awesome explosion that rocked the island. Almost instantly the power went out across the island. Fhurr tapped his wrist pad to send a signal to Krie. They had opened the door for the extraction team, now all they had to do was hold their own and keep the prison forces occupied to give Amii'a and Krie time to get in and find the people they were here for. Fhurr also had to clear a path for Alpha Team to be able to come out with. It was up to Fhurr to keep the distraction going and provide a covered retreat when the time came.

***

Even under the water everyone felt the explosion from above, and from the opposite side of their position. It could be only one thing, Amii'a thought as she looked to Krie for confirmation. He gave the go signal to start the infiltration.

The team entered into the waste tunnel to find their way to the access tunnel that would lead them up into the facility. They had a map to follow, now they only needed to haul ass to get in and get out.

Cloud followed the New Republic trooper through the waste tunnel. Great. Just great. What I have to do for a friend.

The team used their small water craft to traverse the tunnel until they came to a point that was to lead them into the upper levels and out of the sewer muck. One of the soldiers placed a charge upon the hatchway and motioned for the team to prepare for the slight explosion.

The charge went off and the tunnel bubbled with dirty water as the hatchway was exposed. One by one they rose from the water to level above.

"Whooo, I've been in the shit before...but come on!" one man said.

"Cut the chatter, let's get moving. Cloud and Cara you have point, let's move out!" Krie commanded.

Cloud moved in front, approached the door and glanced through it, no one could be seen. It was like night dominated the prison. Cloud made a signal to move and he continued. He took out his two black blasters and set the level of them.

He walked like he wasn't afraid to die, he examined every possible position that an attack could come, but nothing - it was silent like a grave. "It is too quiet."

He moved along the corridor with extra caution on the corners. As he moved along, silence still remained, but Cloud heard tiny sounds from the left. He stopped, with the New Republic troopers some distance behind.

Out of nowhere two prisoners exited from their hiding place and jumped towards Cloud. He moved to the side firing his blaster that caught one of the prisoners in the chest and the other to fall hard on the floor.

The prisoner got up and took what looked like a knife made of an old metal, he tried to stab Cloud, but without luck, he kept his distance. He didn't fire his blasters because he was making every shot count. As the prisoner moved for the kill, Cloud placed back his pistols and grabbed the prisoner's hands.

Cloud quickly disarmed his opponent and with quick and swift movements he penetrated the home made knife into the prisoner's heart. He made a signal the moment the way was clear.

"Let's try and shoot to disable," Amii'a instructed after Cloud had taken out two prisoners. "Unless our lives are unequivocally in danger, after all, some of these people may be political prisoners and not hard core inmates."

"We're gonna go up those stairs and to the left, that will lead us out of this dungeon and into the lower level of the facility, it should be the storage room," Krie commanded over the comlink. "Keep sharp, plenty of places to hide in there, we don't want to get caught up in any kind of fight," he said in reference to Amii'a's caution. He knew well the wisdom of her command, but at the same time he knew they had no time to lose on playing games with other prisoners.

Of course, it was just that same mentality that had helped to steer Krie to the life he led that day. That callous aversion to all things outside of his mission parameters. Like the other members of his team, Krie was dead to the galaxy. He was a faceless casualty of some long forgotten battle on a far off backwater world. As far as the general public was concerned, for he was indeed alive and well.

The group continued forward and went up the stairs with Cloud and Cara on point and Krie coming up behind. Cloud and Cara covered the stairwell opening and motioned an all clear for the rest of the team to round the corner into the boiler room. Cloud and Cara then took their position at the front and everyone made their way forward with stealth. They hadn't the time to poke around, but they had to be cautious.

Krie tapped his comlink to let everyone know to come to a halt. He motioned with his hand that there was something forward of their position. He produced a stun grenade and motioned for everyone that there was about to be a fire in the hole, and then he armed the device and chucked it up and over their heads.

The device descended behind some machinery and ignited with a dull explosion of stunning energy. Krie motioned for a go ahead and everyone moved forward, keeping an open eye for any lurkers.

Cloud moved along to the lower levels and stopped near Amii'a. "You wouldn't have to worry about the prisoners because they are probably locked somewhere else in this prison, far from the eyes of the other convicts." He continued to walk forward, followed by Amii'a.

Amii'a knew his words were more than likely true, but she didn't want any chances. A diplomat at heart, the best interests of people were her main concern and life work, but for many years she was also a warrior, a soldier, and knew full well the realities of combat in all its many forms and shades of grey.

"Probably so, and I am sure the prisoners we come upon deserve what they get, but we are not here to dish out an execution sentence," she replied back. "We all are skilled enough to know who is going to be a threat and who isn't, and wouldn't waste any time or effort to incapacitate rather than right out kill, just use some good judgement. We are no good to the people we are here to rescue if we are dead, anyway," she said as an after thought.

And it was true. They couldn't afford the time to play cat and mouse, yet Amii'a was serious about needless death.

The team passed through the main storage area and located the turbo-lift for the upper level. According to their schematics it would be the mess hall on this side of the prison. With the main power out, the turbo-lift was inoperable. One by one they had to jimmy up through the top hatch and make their way up the cables to the desired upper levels.

Cloud moved into position while he saw a New Republic trooper set the chargers and walk away. Cloud glanced to see that every man and woman was sure about themselves. There was no panic no fear, no nothing. These aren't the average troopers that you usually encounter, Cloud, he thought.

And they were not. They were crack special operations. The best of the best.

The sound of the explosion was heard as the doors flew in mid air across the mess hall. The doors hit some of the prisoners and guards that fought in that local location. As the group entered the mess hall, there was mist smoke from the explosion and Cloud saw what was like those fights that he usually see from holovids. Where huge confusion was centered that everyone attacked from anywhere.

Two-by two the team exited the turbo-lift shaft while Krie and Amii'a laid down a cover fire for anyone dumb enough to come near the recent explosion that added to the chaos of the mess hall.

Few soldiers and guards had attacked this unwelcome group.

"One shot one kill, people make your rounds count," he said as he fired his blaster towards the guards and prisoners, and the New Republic didn't hesitate towards upcoming enemies. He knew that he had to go to fight with his sword which meant this rescue was about to get bloody. "Well, Miss Val'or. Shall we go across this confusion or go as near the wall as we can get?"

Amii'a surveyed the carnage before her. The large room was littered with tables, chairs, junk and bodies. It stank of blood, urine and feces of a dozen different species. Fires were blazing and the smoke gave an acrid wreak to the air. Amii'a knew that these guards were doing their job, and no one on her team knew much of anything about the prisoners. She didn't want to see the guards' lives ended in the stream of fulfilling their mission.

"DO NOT, shoot to kill the guards!" Amii'a ordered over their comlinks. "Shoot to wound, but do not kill the guards unless absolutely necessary. Hug the walls and provide cover for each other. There is a lot of chaos in here, don't draw unwanted attention to yourself."

"Move out, move out!" Krie ordered in accordance to Amii'a's orders. "We have to clear the room, go down the hall and through a series of other rooms before reaching the section of the building our civs are supposed to be held."

The team scuttled from the turbolift to the nearest wall and began to move through the chaos around them. The guards were pretty much occupied with trying to restore order, and it seemed to Amii'a that the conflict was at a stale mate. All around there lay bodies of both prisoners and guards. The floor was slick with blood, piss, shit and gods only knew what else.

Cloud smelled the stench of the place and he wanted to move faster. He kept close watch on the battle as they moved to the side of the wall. He knew to himself that this wasn't home; he was back under orders and he didn't like that one bit.

He saw as they almost reached to the other side, one of the guards approaching the group and started to attack the group. The nearby New republic trooper didn't hesitate to wound him. The guard started to crawl away and started to scream. "We have rescuers! Get them!"

That doesn't sound good! Cloud thought as he saw a few more guards run towards the group and the new Republic troopers fire to wound. The guards fell to the floor screaming in pain, but no one noticed a wounded guard that approached one younger New Republic trooper and stab him right in his throat. The trooper screamed in pain.

Cloud moved anger raise in him. The hell with orders! He approached the guard that stabbed the trooper, pointed his blaster to his head and fired. He put his blasters in safe guard, put his hand over the trooper's throat wound and started to slide him through the exit away from the confusion. as the last New Republic trooper passed through it, the doors closed.

Cloud tried to calm down as medics tried to treat the wound, but it was too late, the medic couldn't save him. Cloud looked to his bloody hands and frustration rose in him. He couldn't save him like his wife and like a bunch of his friends died right in front of him, he was sick and tired of it. "Look, lady, I know that you're the leader of this thing. But we are breaking into a prison and to the guards we are much worse than those prisoners. They will try to kill us by any means necessary. If you want to still maintain that order not to kill the guards, that is not the last of your people that will die on this fucked up place!" he spoke with frustration in his voice.

"Man of Ash, Part 1"
By: Kaleb Cutter

Location: New Plouton, Yallder District
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

It was another dark dreary night in the Yallder district. The humid night made even sweating tough, but it was normal for this time of year. The small insects that so much enjoyed humid weather were out in larger numbers preying on the flesh of all citizens regardless of station or creed. The city of New Plouton was always this way and the insects weren't the only things that preyed on the citizens at night.

Kaleb sat back in his uncomfortable chair in his messy office and read over his last budget report. It wasn't good. The tax collection agency wanted its piece of the Cutter office and they meant to have it. Even if it meant kicking him out into the street. The last few months had been hard. Kaleb wasn't getting hardly any jobs and the only income he was able to get came from bouncing at the local cantinas, if he got hired at all. Frustrated and tired Kaleb tossed the report onto his cluttered desk. His office was small and dark with only a desk, chair, sofa, and cabinet. The only thing worth while was the small ratty fan that buzzed and purred hot stagnant air around the room trying desperately to cool it off.

Kaleb, as usual, couldn't sleep and decided to burn some calories. Across his small closet door was a thick iron bar and Kaleb stood and stretched his arms and shoulders. A small crackle of his tired bones was audible but ignored and Kaleb jumped up and hung from the bar. Slowly he started to pull his lithe frame up then let it down again into a full stretch. He completed about 25 and he was now covered in sweat. His white armless shirt was almost transparent from the sweat and it became more of a second skin.

Breathing hard he released his grip. Turning around he grabbed the large bottle of water and started chugging it down. Suddenly his office door burst open and a fat human man breathing hard and staggering stumbled into the office, falling to his knees, "P...p..please help me...He..he's going to kill meeeeeee!" he screamed.

Stunned Kaleb put his water bottle down, "Calm down mister, who is going to kill you?"

"HE IS...COMING!" the man yelled as bubbles of spittle formed on his lips. The man then held his hands across his throat and started making a wet gurgling sound. His face started turning red and Kaleb knew instantly that the man was choking. Kaleb was not sure what to do so he bent down to try to help but then the man fell over and started thrashing on the floor, his face now a deep purple color and his eyes bulging. Ben jumped back up to get out of the way and then the man stopped thrashing around. Kaleb was completely confused and was startled when he heard the outside door open and close from the floor below.

Quickly Ben grabbed his blaster and jumped over the dying man and raced down the stairs to the outside exit. He slammed through the door into the dark street and looked around. It was completely empty but he thought he had seen a shadow move out of sight around the corner. What the hell is going on? He thought. His adrenaline pumping and out of breath Kaleb went back to his office. Another surprise was awaiting him there. The fat man was not only gone but in his place was a large pile of ash and the office smelled like burned meat almost choking him. Kaleb sank to his knees in horror and started shaking his head. This can't be happening!

"Seeking Wisdom"
By Vaya Bek
and Quinlan Vos

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Vadris 7th, 4 ABY

***

"Master Vos?" Vaya said through the doorway of the training room.

It was early in the morning. Very early. Vaya had gotten up and Quinlan was the first person she had seen so far that morning. When she had learned that this Quinlan Vos was in fact the very Quinlan Vos she had heard of from old Jedi tales, she could barely restrain herself in hopes of meeting and talking with a legend from the days of the Old Republic.

"Padawan Bek," Quinlan answered, giving her a slight bow with his head. "Good morning. What can I do for you?"

Vaya couldn't help but to grin, but quickly recomposed herself and returned the bow.

"I'm sure you are busy...and no doubt have your own Padawan to teach," Vaya said somewhat timidly, "but, I was hoping that I might seek your wisdom and knowledge in a gift that we both share through the Force. Sometimes I can see, or sense things, from objects or the touch of another's hand. It can be quite powerful sometimes, and I haven't been able to control it, if I can. Nor do I have the skills to fully implement this ability."

"Psychometry..." Quinlan smiled gently. "That is what it is called. To pick impressions from inanimate objects...or from living tissues," he told Vaya, then motioning for her to sit with him. "I had no idea that you had this ability. Has it persisted for long? When did you first find out about it?" he asked, knowing that his own first experience with it had been traumatic.

Vaya sat down next to the Jedi Master with an embarrassed smile, her cheeks becoming exceptionally rosy.

"I guess you could say I was a late bloomer," Vaya began. "Looking back on my younger childhood I know now that I had experienced certain abilities through the Force, but never understood them. After I got older...and, well you know - began to develop into a woman? Haaa, well, that is when my attunement really started to kick in. When I would have these visions and sensations, they were always so chaotic and piecemeal, and so powerful...I had yet to realize that I was connected to the Force, I thought I was going insane! Sometimes these visions would come later, or at least they came to me in varying intensities, like dreams, sometimes like daydreams...and once in awhile they just hit me like raging Bantha! Sometimes as if a different personality had taken over all together...it is so strange and creepy sometimes. But before I came here to the Temple, my Master and those he worked with, they helped to focus and refine some of my skills to a degree...one was a seer, and she tried to help me through meditations, but I guess this ability is a lot different from the visions other Jedi can receive through the Force."

"Visions are often connected to future events. Sometimes the Force shows a Jedi the Future, though it is always hard to define since it is always in constant change. And although it does become more clear and there is greater atonement with the coming of age and experience, visions that come in dreams are not exactly the same as psychometry, though there might be a link between the two sometimes," Quinlan explained. "Psychometry is when you pick impressions from inanimate objects and experience them as your own. For instance, when you grab someone else's lightsaber and you're aware of their last actions and feelings. Has something like that ever happened to you?"

"Yes...many times," Vaya said remembering the time she had held her first lightsaber in her hand. She had had a vision then. "I had held the lightsaber of a Jedi, a Jedi from the past. I saw him struck down by...darkness," she said with a lower and somewhat sadder tone.

For sometime, that Jedi had come to her, in the form of a Force Spirit, but Qel, as he named himself, seemed to no longer be with her.

"There have been some other times too, when I first met my first mentor, Kherris. He had flicked a cred-chip to me, and from it, I had had a vision," Vaya added.

Quinlan gave a faint smile, though this gift that he and Vaya shared was nothing to laugh about. Indeed it was serious and powerful if well used, but also dangerous if one didn't know how to use it. In fact, it had almost been his downfall. "The gift of psychometry is a rare one, especially for those who have it naturally..." he told Vaya. "But it is also a very good gift if well used. But beware, for it can also take you to certain places that you would not wish to go... You must train yourself in it, so that you learn how to do this. I will be glad to teach you a few techniques for this, but it is mostly up to you to develop and control it."

"I would very much like to learn those techniques, Master Vos," Vaya said with a bow of her head. "I had no idea that it was so rare, and could be so powerful an ability. I would be willing to commit to any time I am allowed between my lessons with Master Vorrel and my duties here within the Temple."

"That is fine..." Quinlan nodded. "If these were the old Republic days, you would surely be an asset to the Jedi Council as what they referred to as Jedi Investigator. There were only so many few of us, and we usually did work beyond certain lines. I guess one can almost refer to it as spying or gathering information about certain locations or organizations," he told her. "You see, if you can pick impressions off someone's objects, you can learn a great deal about them, such as their true intentions. There are no lies within feelings, no matter how well one can conceal them on the surface," he explained. "So, tell me. Can you summon psychometry, does it happen all the time, or does it come and go without warning?"

"For the most part it comes and goes on its own, Master. I have had limited success in trying to control the ability, that is why I have sought you out," Vaya replied.

"Of course..." Quinlan nodded. "I was merely wondering. You know Vaya, I have reasons to suspect that you will one day be a powerful Jedi. Come, let us begin with some meditation to help you concentrate."

Vaya bowed and followed the Jedi to begin to learn how to use and control her gift.

"Making a Delivery"
By: Oyani Tala
Rilanna Kir
Dresh Kano

Location: Captain Kano's Base & Aboard the Ryloth Storm
Date: Vadris 7, 4 ABY

***

Oyani slid into the pilot's seat in the cockpit of the Ryloth Storm, stepping over the little astromech that had been flying the craft, even as he rolled back to allow her access to the seat. She was adjusting various rapidly thrown on garments into their proper positions even as she made it into the seat.

Rilanna Kir was close behind her, assuming the co-pilot's position once again.

"Position, R4?" Oyani asked the droid. R4-B4 responded with a series of beeps that were dutifully translated on the screen on the pilot's console. Oyani nodded. "Alright... I'm going to bring us into a wide downward spiral. Rilanna, if you will, call in and get us landing clearance. I'd like to make it home in one piece."

And she winked at her companion. "I have a feeling interesting things might await."

"Without interesting things," Rilanna said as she prepared to call in their arrival, "life would be very dull." When someone from the base responded, she quickly relayed their purpose for being there. Dresh would be sent to meet them on the landing field, she was told. "Go ahead and bring us down in grid 13C. We'll be able to offload when we get there."

Oyani nodded, lekku bouncing. Her fingers danced nimbly across her controls, and the Ryloth Storm went into a steady descent, along the coordinates Rilanna had indicated. The landing field soon became visible in the forward viewport, and Oyani turned to Ril with a mischievous smile on her face.

"I hope the recipient of Ms. Anoran's gifts don't mind a few bottles missing," she giggled.

R4 made a dull beep-whistle sound, indicating the little droid was worried his mistress might have gotten herself into just a bit of trouble.

"Oh, the recipient's a nice guy," Ril said with a grin. "I'm sure he won't mind too much. Besides, it was only...well, two bottles once we stash one more away. That still leaves him about eighteen. If he's going to complain about one missing, I'll report him as a lush. Besides, I can't imagine him being upset with us." She gave Oyani a wink.

Oyani's smile went from ear to ear as she took a glance from her instruments to the comely creature seated beside her. She was suddenly grateful for the close quarters of the Storm's cockpit.

"There are lots of ways to soothe a savage beast," she commented. "Among Twi'leks it is almost an art. Something I'll have to tell you more about at some point. It requires physical contact. But... if this bloke becomes too testy... we could always offer to assist him in inspecting the shipment."

A low, disapproving hoot went up from R4.

Oyani looked over her shoulder at the little droid. "I don't know what you said, but it probably deserves a 'none of your business'," she replied. "Go make sure the coolant seal is functioning properly in the cargo hold."

R4 beeped something, swiveled his "head" so that his singular optical port was aimed in the opposite direction, and then he rolled, swiftly, from the cockpit.

Oyani nodded, satisfied her orders were being followed.

One lekku twitched a bit more than the other, the tip waving in Rilanna's direction.

"Nothing like a droid with some attitude," Ril said with a grin. "And don't get too friendly with Dresh. He is involved with Shrezade, and I'd hate for us to take on some of her heat because you got too friendly with her man. When we're done here though, you can help me inspect that other bottle we have saved. And, maybe you can do some teaching too." She gave her lover a wide grin. She watched as Oyani brought them in toward their landing spot with a slight smile remaining on her face. "Nice."

"Well, I'm doing my best to impress you, m'dear," Oyani said, returning Rilanna's grin. "Though... I'd enjoy it if you took the helm, sometime." There was a clear double entendre in her words, as the quivering of her lekku indicated. The Ryloth Storm touched down, its landing struts extending just as it reached the ground. The steam purges let off more than their usual spewing and puffing of heated gasses.

"I'd love to go flying with you anytime," Rilanna said with a smile.

Oyani turned in her seat, and then, in a sudden and rather spontaneous move, she leaned across the cockpit, and planted a kiss on Rilanna's lips. "Where I come from, we have a drug... I'm guessing you've heard of it... we call it Ryl. And it is addictive." She allowed her left lekku to run its tip across Rilanna's face as she moved away from her and moved slowly to the entrance of the cockpit. "Don't worry... I'll leave this Mr. Dresh to his own devices. My mind is rather otherwise occupied at the moment."

Ril slipped out of her chair and followed Oyani out of the cockpit. "I imagine dropping this shipment off should be fairly quick," she said. "Then we can be on our way and find our own excitement."

"Don't we need to check in with the boss, or something?" Oyani asked, flirtatiously.

"That's true," Rilanna said with a grin. "Oh, I just can't wait to hear what Shrezade has to say about this. Though, I have a feeling she knew what would happen if you and I spent too much time alone in this ship of yours." She gave Oyani a knowing wink.

"Because if we could just check in via comlink, maybe I can find us an interesting place to waste a few credits and spend some time," the Twi'lek replied. "How long has it been since you saw a pod race?"

"I can't remember the last time I saw one," Ril said. "I think it's been five or six years, at least."

"I don't know if there's a race scheduled, but I know where they run them," Oyani said. "At least locally." She didn't bother to tell Rilanna how much money she had lost betting on the races. "We could swing by there, and see what's running at the track. And if there's no races to keep us entertained, I think we can find other ways of occupying our time."

"Oh, I'm certain we can," she said. "Alright then, we drop this off, check in with Reza, and then go take in a pod race. Sounds like a good plan to me."

***

The boarding ramp of the Ryloth Storm lowered itself slowly, and Oyani was the first one down, with Rilanna only a step behind. R4 came beeping up the rear. As soon as the Twi'lek's feet touched the ground upon which her ship rested, two blaster carbines were pointed at her face.

"Whoa! Hold on, boys!" she threw her hands up in a gesture of surrender. "You don't have very good communications here, do you? We've been cleared to land."

"Ok, so says the tower," one of the riflemen told her in a gruff tone. "But, still, we gotta check people that come and go here, face to face. You could have forged those landing vouchers. Who are you?"

"Captain Oyani Tala - of the Ryloth Storm," the Twi'lek answered. "I'm on a cargo run for Shrezade Anoran at the Drogen Shipyards. This young lady here can vouch for me." Oyani's lekku went stiff and twitched as she gestured to Rilanna.

Rilanna let out a rather dramatic sigh and fixed a withering gaze on the man. "I'm Captain Rilanna Kir, Security Chief of the Drogen Shipyards. We have a delivery for Captain Dresh Kano."

"Yeah, anyone can say that!" the other man said, sounding genuinely angry. Oyani wondered if they had had some trouble here, that she and Ril were not aware of. Of course, things were very tense in the system at this point, with two Jedi turncoats in power, but that didn't explain two paranoid blaster-jockeys sticking their weapons in her, and Ril's faces.

"Anyone can, and I just did," Ril snapped. "If you get Kano out here, he'll affirm everything I've said. If not, I'd get myself packed and offplanet before word of this gets out. You're walking on very thin ice, soldier, and unless you guard your steps you'll be in over your head before you know it." Judging by what she saw, Ril knew she could take all of them without worry. But, just because she could didn't mean that would be the best course of action. She didn't know what sort of fallout would come of her showing these monkeys her credentials.

"Let me see your manifest!" the first man barked, at Rilanna.

"You're not authorized for it," Ril said calmly, though there was a dangerous edge to her voice. "Contact Captain Kano before this gets out of hand. We are authorized and legitimate. Get him on the comm right now, or you'll be mucking up after Hutts for your next job."

"Maybe we'd better do as she says," the second man said. He looked, sheepishly, at the other, who was obviously his superior.

"Yes, you had. and quickly," Oyani interjected. "Because every minute that you delay is another minute your boss won't get his shipment, and every minute your boss doesn't get his shipment, is another minute he has to get more seriously annoyed at two puffed up blastslingers that don't have enough to do."

The first guard pointed his blaster at Oyani. Her lekku waved behind her, as an almost wicked grin decorated her red face. "Why don't you point that thing somewhere else."

Ril fixed a glare on the blaster wielder. "Make the call," she said with a dangerous edge to her voice.

The second man pulled a comlink out of a pouch on his belt and activated it. "Captain Kano... this is Orl at the landing platform. We've got someone down here claims to have a shipment for you?"

"A shipment?" came the reply, and it was obvious from the tone that the man on the other side was grinning. "I'll be right down. And, please, don't shoot the messengers." It was obvious as well that this wasn't the first time the guards on duty had overreacted.

It was only a few moments later before a man came strolling down toward where the guards still had their blasters pointed at Rilanna and Oyani. Dresh Kano grinned at Rilanna and shook his head. "You know," he said as he clapped one of the guards on the shoulder, "you two are lucky to be breathing out of the proper orifices. You have no idea how quickly this one could have taken you apart." He turned to Rilanna, paused a moment, and then gave her a hug. "Give that to Reza when you see her. It's been too long. I've also got a message for you to carry back, if you don't mind." He glanced at Oyani, and gave her a gracious nod. "I'm sorry about the treatment here. Things have been a little tight between the Empire's fall, Tarkin's mad reign, and then the two supposed empresses on Tae'Karada. I'm Captain Dresh Kano."

Oyani smiled widely, showing the slightly sharp teeth that Twi'leks sported. She liked this gregarious man. Her lekku bobbed back and forth as she greeted him. "Pleased to meet you, sir. Oyani Tala. I'm Captain of this little ship and Rilanna here was good enough to accompany me to make sure your shipment arrived intact. Shall we go inside and you can inspect your cargo."

As she spoke the Twi'lek said a silent prayer to the goddess their people worshipped that he wouldn't notice, or mind the missing bottle.

Dresh laughed. "That'd be perfect," he said as he gestured for her to lead the way.

Oyani turned to lead the way back up the boarding ramp onto her ship. "I also have a few private quarters and things, if you'd like to give your message for Ms. Anoran to Ril... er Rilanna in private." she tried to avoid sounding too familiar with the young woman, when in truth she had become extremely fond of her during their short trip.

"Oh, that's alright," Dresh said. "I've got the message on a datapad already. I had a little warning that someone was coming from the station, so I had enough warning to prepare a message."

Oyani lead the way back up the ramp, and into her ship. R4 went off beeping and hooting to himself, in the direction of the cargo hold, presumably to check the environmental controls that was keeping Dresh's shipment cool. Oyani turned and smiled at the man when they entered the common crew area of the ship.

"If you'll wait here, sir, we'll bring your shipment right out," she said to him. A twitch of a lekku at Rilanna indicated the Twi'lek wanted her to join her in the cargo bay. "Come, Rilanna, I may need your help in bringing in that crate."

Ril smiled at Dresh. "We'll be right back with your shipment."

"I'll just be right here then," Dresh said with a charming grin.

As the two women moved off towards the cargo bay, Oyani whispered to Ril, "He seems nice enough. Do you think he'll make a big fuss if he notices that missing bottle... or was it two?"

"Two," Ril said. "We drank one whole one, and I have another stashed behind one of the pillows on the bed for the return trip. And, he's a nice guy, and I really don't think he'd be too upset at a missing bottle or two. Besides..." She drew a finger up Oyani's side. "I think he'll understand."

Oyani's lekku quivered at Rilanna's touch. She had never felt this way around someone before. She wanted to take the lovely human woman in her arms and make love to her again - right then, right there. But, they did have business to attend to. The Twi'lek smiled, and moved her body closer to Ril, touching her face with her long red fingers. "You do know how to plan ahead, don't you?" she said, and despite the fact that Dresh could probably still see them, she kissed Rilanna, on the lips.

Rilanna eagerly returned the kiss. When it finally broke, she smiled at her Twi'lek lover. "I try," she whispered. Her hands slid down along Oyani's hips as they held each other, kissing and wondering if they might make it to the bunk...

Oyani's hand wandered down the other woman's side, caressing her. She felt her lekku slapping against her and it served as a reminder. Oyani had a shipment to deliver.

Ril caught the look in Oyani's eyes and she grinned. "Come on, let's get Dresh his stuff, and then we can get out of here so we can test out the autopilot some more."

They moved the crate out to where Dresh was waiting. He wore a Republic military uniform. He was an attractive man with rugged good looks, brown hair and eyes, a charming smile, and a generally good nature. As he watched them emerge from the ship, he smiled. "I was about to send in a rescue team," he said. "You will thank Reza for me, right?"

Ril returned his smile. "Of course, though I have to ask the question I know she'll want to ask. When will you be able to thank her in person?"

Dresh chuckled. "I figured she might. I should have some leave coming up soon. I plan on spending the time on Drogen. Perhaps I'll see the two of you there?"

Ril glanced at Oyani, then smiled more brightly. "Count on it."

"I look forward to it," he said as he popped open the container to inspect it.

Ril cast a glance in Oyani's direction.

Oyani felt a chill over her flesh. If Twi'lek had hairs on the backs of their necks, hers would have been standing on end. She returned Ril's glance and tried a smile. Why was she so nervous? This Dresh fellow didn't seem the type to whip out a blaster over a missing bottle of wine.

Of course, she knew what it was. There was a chance, albeit slim if Oyani was any judge of character - Dresh seemed like a nice guy; that she and Ril could get into some trouble. But the main question was, how long would an explanation take. After Dresh unloaded his cargo, she had to run a preflight, and make a few preps before they could get off the surface... and back to some highly desirable physical contact.

This was running itself through Oyani's head at way past light speed. And she found she was very comfortable with the thought of sharing a bed with Rilanna. She was growing more fond of her as each moment passed.

And so, she watched Dresh with baited breath. Something inside her wanted to say "hurry", but she kept her mouth closed by biting her lip. Her lekku twitched and the tip of her right lekku caressed her left one nervously.

Dresh looked up from his examination of the contents of his shipment, then regarded Ril and Oyani with a raised eyebrow. But then, after a long moment, he closed the lid with a smile. "Everything looks in order," he said. "I didn't realize a tip for the couriers was necessary, but they seem deserving. I'll see the both of you back on the station, and next time you're through here, I'll make sure you have all the clearances you need. The boys get a little jumpy around here, but I guess it keeps them alive." He gave Ril a hug, then looked at Oyani for a moment. "It was very nice to meet you. And, you have a very nice ship."

"Thank you," Oyani said. "I'm not ashamed to admit I love precious else better," and somehow, her eyes turned to Rilanna as she said 'precious else'. "And let me offer you my services if you ever need a courier. Cargo or passengers. Makes no never mind to me. And... next time, without the gratuity," and she smiled.

Dresh chuckled. "Very good," he said. "Now, I should get back to work here, and I should let the two of you get on your way. Thank you again, and I'll see you soon." With that, more goodbyes were said and Dresh left and left the two women alone.

"Whew!" Oyani sighed for relief. "He took that well. He seems a nice guy." She moved to face Rilanna, her lekku twitching around behind her. "Well, where to now? Home? I might know an interesting detour."

"Let's go home," Rilanna said with a smile. "And, your detour sounds like a perfect plan. Come on, let's get moving. Do you think the autopilot's good enough to get us home on its own?"

"We can always rely on R4." Oyani's smile was joyous and full of anticipation.

And a few moments later, the Ryloth Storm lifted off, speeding into the upper atmosphere as a streak of blue energy discharge from her engines gave the ship the appearance of having a brilliantly lit, elegantly curving tale.

"Narrow Escape"
by: Leija

Location: Ord Mantell, and into Hyperspace; and finally, the Tae'Sollar Desert
Date: Vardis 7, 4 ABY

***

Leija's battered starship lurched from the atmosphere of Ord Mantell like she was being chased. The ship was off the ground before the Chiss was even in the pilot seat. Throwing off her coat, and the heavily armed pack that hung over her back, Leija slid into the pilot's seat, and blue fingers began tapping instruments.

The planet of Ord Mantell was shrinking behind her as she set her new course. It took a moment for the navicomputer to load up, and then Leija set an automatic search in the computer's database for the co-ordinates she was looking for. Tae Karada. It was time to go home.

The ship shook.

"What in the name of the Force?" Leija asked to no one. She immediately picked up her visual scanning, twisted her head this way and that to find the source of the explosion that had shaken her ship. It was a laser blast. Someone was following her. "I thought I lost all of those dunghill thugs on the planet!" Leija commented as she put her navicomputer on standby to activate her tactical targeting system.

Leaning back in her seat, she allowed the headset that fell from the ceiling of the cockpit to slide into place. The tactical display came up, and as Leija fastened the viewer over her face she could see a tactical readout of the area surrounding her ship overlaid with a targeting grid.

There were three ships chasing her.

Two of them looked like suped up twinpod atmospheric vehicles retrofitted for extraorbital activity, but without hyperdrive. The third was a fighter-class vehicle fit with a hyperdrive generator. It wasn't as fast as Leija's ship, but it was the most dangerous of the three. This one could follow her into hyperspace.

Leija spoke her orders to the ship's computer, which was hooked up to a voice activation circuit - a series of interactive protocols cannibalized from a protocol droid Leija had taken as payment on a bounty a year ago.

"Raise defense screens, bring all batteries on line. Activate manual targeting interface," Leija told her ship.

The ship spoke back to her, in a staccato male voice with a slight accent: "Shields up. Weapons on line. Targeting interface initialized."

The Harbinger shook again. One of the modified cloud cars was bearing down on her, firing a steady stream of laser blasts.

"These gentlemen do not want to talk, I'll warrant," Leija said aloud. "All right, if that's the way you want it then that's the way you'll have it!" the Chiss grabbed her primary navigation control throttle, and pulled back on it as far as it would go. The ship rolled over on its back and turned to fly headlong towards the three fighters, as Leija spoke into her tactical computer.

"Lock weapons and fire."

The forward turrets of the Harbinger belched fire, but the three fighters were all piloted by good pilots. And they split their formation, avoiding Leija blastcannon fire at the least minute. The Chiss cursed and ordered a second volley.

"Analyze their flight pattern, and adjust firing pattern to match," Leija ordered. She jerked her throttle taking her ship into a hard starboard turn, rolling the vessel as it turned, to avoid fire from the third fighter. "Fire aft cannons."

The Harbinger's aft weapons fired, sending streaks of red and orange energy across the short distance between the ship and the fighters. The hyperdrive capable fighter lunged to port, dodging the blasts, but one of its companions wasn't so lucky. Two bolts from the blastcannon hit the ship dead on, and it exploded into a ball of quickly dissipating, flaming gasp.

As she turned her ship back to face her other two pursuers Leija silently wondered if the explosion could be seen from the surface of Ord Mantell.

"Harbinger - reactivate navicomputer... locate and install coordinates for Tae'Karada," Leija ordered. "Set speed at maximum and engage hyperdrive motivators on my mark."

The computer complied, announcing; "Estimated time to completion of course computations, two minutes."

"Thank you, Harbinger," Leija said.

And one of her pursuers scored a direct hit. The Harbinger rocked, and Leija was forced forward in her chair, and then snapped back against her seat by the headset strapped onto her head. She let out a groan, but kept her composure. Her glowing red eyes quickly analyzed the tactical display that filled her frame of vision.

"Harbinger- attack pattern delta-4," Leija ordered.

The topside cannons aimed for the modified cloudcar that had scored the hit, and let off a volley of blaster fire, even as the belly cannon turned to lock on to the fighter that was reversing it's course to launch a frontal attack against the Harbinger.

The cannon fire hit the cloudcar, striking the center strut that attached the two main pods of the vehicle. In a burst of flame, the two pods separated. Leija smiled, wickedly. "Forward canons, fire in 7.3 seconds."

One of the two pods sped, flying out of control, into the path of the ship's forward canon. And in precisely 7.3 seconds it was directly in line to be hit by the concentrated laser fire of the Harbinger's weaponry. Leija flew the vessel directly into the explosion, as the other two pursuing ships followed her. The hypercapable fighter lead the assault as weapons fire glanced off the Harbinger's shielding slowly eroding away the defense screens.

"Fire aft weaponry," Leija ordered

The belly cannon aimed aft and fired, destroying the other cloudcar in a flare of exploding gas and debris.

"Astronavigational calculations complete," the Harbinger computer announced.

"Good. Activate hyperdrive," Leija ordered.

The Harbinger leaped forward, as the engines flared. The stars streaked in the forward viewport as the retrofitted freighter flew into hyperspace, bound for Tae'Karada. Leija slumped in her chair and relaxed her posture. "Deactivate tactical computer, and targeting display," she said to the computer.

She detached the targeting viewer from her head, and gave it a push up, so that it would automatically retract and reinsert itself into the slot it normally occupied.

The Chiss bounty hunter sat there, in her pilot's seat, watching the stars speed by outside her vessel.

She was home free... as far as she knew.

***

Three hours passed. And the Tae'Karada system loomed at the end of the hyperdrive field generated by the Harbinger's engines. Leija had taken the time to shower, and change her clothing. And she was just strapping on her gunbelt, and tying down her holster when the computer sounded the warning that the ship was about to drop out of hyperspace.

She slid into her pilot's seat, as the stars shrunk back to their usual shape. As the view from the forward viewports cleared, the planets of the familiar Tae'Karada system came into view. Leija smiled. Her autonavigational system was working perfectly, as usual.

As Leija busied herself entering coordinates into her computer for the Drogen shipyards, a small vessel closed its distance to the Harbinger. It was the same hyperdrive capable fighter that had engaged Leija over Ord Mantell. It had followed her through hyperspace. And now the pilot, an angry Auqualish, was targetting his lasers on the Bounty Hunter's starship.

Just as Leija was entering the last of her coordinates, a warning flashed on her tactical systems. But it came too late. Even as Leija's scarlet eyes locked on the tactical readout the Aqualish fired. The laser blasts blew into the main engines of Leija's ship. The Harbinger rocked until Leija was nearly thrown from her seat. She didn't have time to activate her combat accessories.

The Chiss simply grabbed her throttle and threw the ship into a barrel roll, pointing the ship towards the planet; she flew with one hand and manually accessed her tactical display with the other. The Auqualish fired again, as he sped his ship to fly over hers, until he had a position above the Harbinger, matching it's speed as it hurtled towards Tae'Karada.

Watching on the tactical display, Leija's face required its smile despite the readout on the monitor next to the tactical screen that displayed the amount of damage done to the Harbinger. With her eyes trained on the tactical display, Leija jerked her throttle, causing the Harbinger to turn onto it's starboard side, flipping the main bulk of the ship up into the fighter hanging over the Harbinger.

One of the fighter's engines blew out, and it went into a spin. The Auqualish struggled with his controls, even as Leija slowly, calculatedly adjusted her targeting readout to aim her topside cannon on the fighter. A volley of blast cannon fire later, and the fighter was transformed into a cloud of flaming dust.

Leija righted her vessel, and began accessing the damage as the ship continued its descent towards Tae'Karada. The damage was severe. All but one of the primary thrusters were gone. The hyperdrive motivator was fried to a crisp. The navigational controls were almost nonexistent. But, her vocal interface with her computer system was still operational, as were the weapon systems, and the defensive screens.

"Harbinger..." Leija spoke to the ship as the nose of the vessel neared Tae'Karada's atmosphere. "Bring full navigational and atmospheric shielding on line, transfer power from weapons to shielding, and secure the cockpit."

Leija strapped herself into her seat, as the computer did its work. A series of ablative armor plates slid over the transparasteel windows of the cockpit, and the Bounty Hunter braced herself as the Harbinger penetrated the Tae'Karadan atmosphere. She did her best to hold the descent steady with the navigational controls, but they were sluggish, at best, with the pressure of the planet's atmosphere on the hull. The Harbinger's shields flashed and flickered as they came in contact with the atmosphere. But they held.

The Harbinger sped towards the surface below, as Leija activated her com. She sent a standard distress signal and closed her glowing eyes as the sandy surface below her raced up to meet the starship. The impact of the crash threw Leija forward, and her straps pulled painfully tight against her body. She felt the control console of her ship slam into her forehead before her straps yanked her back against the seat. The Harbinger buried itself in the sands of the isolated Tae'Sollara desert.

And there it sat, engines smoking, shields burned out, and ship's power systems drained.

And the Captain- Leija the Bounty Hunter sat strapped in the pilot's seat, sleeping and dreaming a dream of pain induced by the blow to her head from the console.

Her only hope, now, that someone would follow her distress signal.