Quay's Rescue

[Argos Ewan]

(Part 2 to Retreat From Pain)

As Aramis took control of the Eclipse, he flew it perfectly. So perfect, so flawless. Much like his mother, my love, my mate. Now gone and soon to be returned to me if everything we planned worked as I planned.

Before this would happen the crew would have to be briefed on a plan which had to be laid out and perfectly executed. We had done many raids in the past, but this was to be the first rescue we had ever performed. Either this plan would work or we would die and I’m not very used to dying and am quite sure it wouldn’t fit with me very well.

I watched as Aramis flew the eclipse through the upper atmosphere of the Bespin Colony. Finally we broke trough the upper atmosphere and we were now ready for our first jump. I looked at Aramis’s console and checked our present position.

I leaned back into my chair as I looked overhead. I reached up and placed my fingers onto the booster switches. “We’re in out first jump position toward Farfield II.” I looked directly toward Aramis. “Steady your controls. We’re ready to jump.”

I flipped a few of the overhead switches. “Injecting plasma now.” The ship slightly hummed as the Phase motors opened and readied to accept the plasma injection. I reached over to my right over my head and took a hold of the plasma injector control handle and eased it forward to start the injection. As I did the Eclipse began a smooth motion forward and the ship went into hyper-jump. As I looked though the bridge windows the stars began to streak part the Eclipse as we moved through hyperspace.”

I released the injector handle and turned my chair so I could look at Nawn. “How long till we reach our turning point Commander?”

[Aramis Rakai]

No matter how many times I'd seen it, hyper-space always made me feel invincable. I loved every part of it. I relaxed and sat back as Argos turned around. Soon we'd have my mother back in our custody or I'd die trying.

[Nawn Erdon]

I looked over my console and looked up the information requested by the Captain. I quickly did my computation and started the count clock. “Our turn is in five hours and thirty-four minutes on my mark................Mark.”

[Argos Ewan]

“Very well,” I replied.

I looked at Aramis and put my hand onto his shoulder. “Good job Lieutenant. Put us on auto pilot and relax. We’ve got some time now.”

I stretched my arms as I turned my chair around. “I think I could use some coffee. Anyone want to join me?”

Before anyone could answer, I looked at Aramis and then Nawn and back to Aramis again. I leaned over and whispered to him as I smiled. "Does he drink coffee?"

[Aramis Rakai]

I held in my laugh as I shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure, Captain." I whispered back as I turned my chair around and flipped a couple of switches. "Auto-pilot is on." I advised as I turned back around. "I could use some coffee." I admitted.

[Argos Ewan]

I looked at Nawn and asked him to join us. "Nawn, we're going to get some coffee. Would you like to join us?"

[Nawn Erdon]

"No thank you Captain," I replied. "I'd like to use this computer to finish the crews briefing. I want to enter this into the holo-unit for the briefing."

[Argos Ewan]

"Sounds good Nawn. Keep up the good work."

I turned and looked at Aramis as I put my hand onto my sons' shoulder. "Well it looks like it is you and me then."

I was really ready for some sleep because I hadn't been sleeping well if at all. Right now there was just to much to do. To much to prepare for. Sleep would have to wait.

[Avalon Aquilo]

I waited to see what Jace was going to tell me. He had my undivided attention.

As I looked at him, something suddenly felt strange beneath me. I threw my hands down and launched myself off the mattress and grabbed onto him. "Are we moving?"

[Za'in]

Nothing ever panned out as planned.

Elijawn had tinker with very little about the ship before he was found. In moments time he was being carried off toward the brigade. The life as a stowaway just wasn't going to cut it, or so it seemed. Every step closer and closer to the brigade gave his heart a jump. Nothing seemed to appear good about the possible outcomes with the Captain.

"Frag"

He spat as the door sled up quickly as he entered. Hands in his pockets, and two crew-men at his side, armed and ready, they prepared the introduction. The stowaway was exposed, and his actions probably wouldn't fall under beloved eyes.

[Argos Ewan]

As Aramis and I were about to exit the bridge the bridge door suddenly opened and there stood someone I didn’t know being guarded by two of the crew members. “Well, well,” I said to my son. “It seems we've finally found our stowaway.”

I walked up to the individual and looked him squarely in the eyes. “In case you don’t know, I don’t take it lightly having stowaways on my ship. Why are you here? Give me one good reason why I shouldn‘t space you right now.”

[Nawn Erdon]

"Ut, oh," I responded to what the Captain was saying. "This isn't good. You've made a big mistake my friend. You better answer the Captain quickly and truthfully."

[Jace Keller]

I grinned. It felt good to be in the air again. I held onto her and gave Avalon a playful squeeze. "Yes, I thought you liked space travel."

[Avalon Aquilo]

I was surprised that I instinctively played into Jace’s hands. I quickly responded to his touch and I put my hands onto his chest to push him away. “Yes I do enjoy space travel but only when it doesn’t take me by surprise like this launch did.”

I reached down and pulled at Jace’s hands and lay them next to him. “I believe there was something you were about to say to me. So don’t change the subject Jace. Like I said, you already have my attention.”

At this point I was really ready to hear what was on his mind. I’d help him anytime I could.

[Jace Keller]

Where do I start? I wondered as I held this beautiful Iskonian in my arms. "I suppose the main reason I let go was because of the danger in my job. I didn't want you to ever get that message from my brother or anyone else that I'd been caught or worse." I paused and then continued. "I also felt that I would hold you back from ever being that doctor that you trained so hard to be. To have your own office or work in a hospital...I knew how much that meant to you."

[Avalon Aquilo]

Finally he told me exactly what I thought was always the problem. I reached over and put his face in my hands as I shook my head. “Jace, Jace, how could you think so little of me. Oh yes, in the beginning my doctrine was important to me. One thing I have found through that time is that time is short, life itself is to short. Why do you think I felt so hurt by you?”

Suddenly all the pain I felt from him began to come up from within me. Finally it was in the open and the tears began to flow from my eyes. “Jace, I love you. My love is so strong for you that nothing else matters to me.” I threw my arms around him as I cried. I whispered into his ear, “Jace I love you and I am strong enough I can handle anything that you do. I hold no illusions of what you do and why you do it. What hurts me more is not having you as a part of my life.”

[Jace Keller]

I stared at her as I heard her words. She didn't care that I was a pirate, she loved me either way. I was speechless.

"I never stopped loving you, Avalon. It nearly killed me to let you go and I've never been able to look at anyone else." I sniffed and sighed wearily. I didn't feel as bad as I did a few days ago, but I still wasn't up to par. At least I could breathe now, so that was a good thing.

[Za'in]

Tribulations and perils always followed the young Elijawn's footsteps. Anywhere he went there was trouble. Nothing ever unraveled into a nice situations, and he had to deal with problems. The situation at hand was no different, and Elijawn was outfit to deal with the distress. Despite the rather experienced eyes of the lad, he kept them at bay and to the ground. Albeit disrespectful, it was only appropriate to play the shy role.

There was no reason to be brute, authoritative and forward with a Captain of a ship. Especially when the plan was to stowaway and freeload to the next planet. Not a thing about it was subjective to respect--so his voice dropped into a lull and his eyes fell upon the ground.

"I'm sorry," he began.

Habit shifted his hand into his pockets deeper, meddling with packs of lint. Days had passed since he had a decent meal, and only a few good purchases had kept him above water. Bespin was not a forgiving planet, and with the many thefts he carried out he baggage a name that some customers avoided. Only a few tourist were worthwhile until his faithful departure.

Now he was a bind. Standing before a Captain that seemed prepared to shoot him dead in the head.

"I just needed to get off Bespin. I was stranded..."

Not exactly a good reason...but it could merit some sympathy. Hopefully...

[Argos Ewan]

As I listened to his excuse I saw him shuffling his hands in his pockets. I looked at the crewmen who were standing next to him and I pointed at the intruder. “Apprehend him,” I ordered defensively.

Immediately both of the crewmen grabbed his arms at the elbows and held him tightly. I stepped forward and pulled his hands from his pockets and inspected his hands and then felt his pockets of his clothing.

“Alright he is clean. You may release him now,” I ordered and the crewmen let go of him but stood at the ready.

“So your looking for passage? What do you think we are, some kind of taxi service?! We’re a raiding ship boy and nobody on my ship are freeloaders! Everybody works, everybody fights! They do or they die or not fly on board my ship at all.”

I was most upset at the fact that this person was on my ship. What was I to do with this intruder? I turned and walked to my chair and spun it around sat down in it and looked at the boy. “We are right in the middle of a very important mission. We don’t have time for freeloaders or the time to baby sit you. Nor do we have the time to take you anywhere.”

As I calmed down now knowing that he wasn’t a danger, I looked him over. “Well it seems I am stuck with you for now. You look like you haven’t ate in some time especially since you have no credits on you. Would you like something to eat?”

[Za'in]

Food?

The thought scrambled through Elijawn's brain as he stood there with his head raised. A rush had already ran his body with the sudden change. Not an experience in the world could have ready him for the grab of his arms, and pocket check. All of it happened in a flash, and his heart was still pumping from the excitement. However, now it had another subject to be cautious about.

Food, food food!

The boy could barley restrain the happiness. Time had long past since he bit into a nice meal. All the scraps he gather about the Cloud City streets were either from dumpsters or quick grabs off plates. Nothing had really kept his stomach at bay, and behind the dangle of his clothes wasted flesh and bones.

Lanky, albeit somewhat healthy, he let a hint of a smirk press his lips as he regarded the question.

"Yah, if that is cool with everyone?" A humorous glance drifted up to the guards at his side, as if awaiting another erratic act. The smirk grew as he returned his eyes back to the Captain.

"By the way...my name is Elijawn."

[Avalon Aquilo]

The tears in my eyes began to dry as I held him. It felt so nice to know I really did matter to him. I raised my head from his shoulder but felt somewhat embarrassed and couldn’t look at him. To know that all this time we cared for each other as we did and yet we both felt we were to be nothing but ignored by each other for our own personal reasons.

I wiped the tears from my eyes as I looked down away from him. I put my hands into my lap and looked at them. “I’m sorry Jace. I should have told you all of this sooner. We’ve been apart from each other for the wrong reasons at the wrong times. Everything you ever thought of me and about me was wrong.”

I slowly looked up at Jace with tear-filled eyes. “Tell me Jace. Tell me once and for all so you won’t hurt me anymore. Do you want me as a part of your life or not? If you don‘t, then after this mission I will leave and you‘ll never see me again, I promise.”

[Nawn Erdon]

I listened to the boy as he spoke to the Captain. I looked up at the Captain, "cool food? I don't understand Captain. We only have hot foods here." I stuck my tongue out and shivered at the thought of eating foods that would be cold. "Yuck!"

[Argos Ewan]

From the way nawn discribed it, that type of food sounded terrible to me too. But I tried to be nice to the boy. "Well Elijawn, I want you to go with these men and they will take you to the galley for something to eat."

I looked at the men, "take him to the galley for something to eat and show him to a quarters and stay with him at all times. I will check on him after while."

The guardsmen gently took Elijawn by the arm and lead him away.

[Nawn Erdon]

I watched as the boy left and still shivered in my seat. “Raw Bantha meat, chilled Sullian slugs, ice peeled lips of Wambats..........”

[Argos Ewan]

I looked at Nawn with a green feeling in my face and a queasiness in my stomach as I placed my hands on my stomach. “Nawn, will you please shut up! Your making me ill and not making matters any better."

"I definitely need that coffee now. How about you Lieutenant?”

[Aramis Rakai]

I was kind of off in my own little world as I studied the young man. I rubbed my chin thoughtfully as the Captain looked at me. "Ya know, Tiny has been complaining constantly to me about needing a dishwasher in the galley."

Tiny was our cook, and he was a far cry from being tiny. He was a great cook though and we were lucky to have him on our crew. I looked the boy up and down, he was kind of scrawny, but his eyes had that look of determination...and hunger.

I looked at the Captain. "If I may have word with you alone, Sir." I walked a few steps away.

[Argos Ewan]

I walked out of the bridge as I followed Aramis. As the bridge doors closed behind us I stopped and spoke to him in private. "What is wrong Son?"

[Aramis Rakai]

I shook my head. "Nothing's wrong, Father. It's just...I've seen that look before...in the mirror. I can't completely remember when, but I remember it had to be before I met you. I can't recall how old I was...it had to have been after the tsunami of my homeworld...the hunger we suffered after being shuffled to this place and that place. I can remember it as if it were yesterday, even though I can't remember when. You didn't have to give me or my mom a chance to survive, a chance to live and we both proved our worth. Let's give him that same chance, he can work the galley with Tiny."

[Argos Ewan]

He called me Father. It was rare that he ever spoke to me in that manner and it warmed my heart to hear it. I reached out to him and put my hand onto his shoulder. "Son, that is a noble thought. How wise you have grown to be. I am very proud of you and I think your idea is a great one indeed. If Tiny will agree to this then I am all for it. I'll tell you what, let's go to the galley and speak with Tiny and see if he is up to it. In fact, I'll let you talk to him about this while we are there. I'm sure he'll like the idea coming from you more than me." I cocked my head a little as I looked at him. "Not that he wouldn't do it if I asked, I just think it would be nice for you to use your authority a little."

[Aramis Rakai]

"I want you to be proud of me. I know you're not my 'real' father, but you've looked over me in every way a father does, so I hope you don't care about me being more on a personal level when we are one on one. You're the only father I've ever had." I did want his approval, I always had and to hear the words he said...meant everything to me.

"I'd like to be the one to tell Tiny." I grinned.

[Argos Ewan]

"Well I have always been proud of you son." I shrubbed my shoulders as I continued. "But eh, we all have our moments just as you do and it doesn't change my thoughts of you in the slightest. Not that it matters, but I just thought you like to know, it doesn't change anything about how I feel about you. As far as I am concerned, you ARE my son and always will be no matter what."

I looked down the corridor and saw one of the crew walking toward the bridge. "Well, how about that cup of coffee and you can talk to tiny while we're there?" I took my hand off Aramis's shoulder as to not embarrass him.

[Aramis Rakai]

I heard the familiar clank of boots from behind me as Argos spoke and released his grip on my shoulder. "Aye-Aye, Captain." I nodded and stepped back to allow him to proceed.

[Argos Ewan]

I walked on toward the galley. Finally we got in the galley and I saw our stowaway eating his heart out. It looked as though he had been eating a feast.

I walked to the galley counter and saw Tiny cooking his heart out. As I took up a pot of coffee I poured myself a cup and stirred in a measure of cream with it. As I stirred my cup I looked at Aramis and nodded toward Tiny. "Tiny is over there if you want to talk to him." I looked at a private table off to the side and headed in that direction. "If you want to talk to him go ahead. I'll be over here."

[Aramis Rakai]

I nodded and walked over to Tiny. I told him I needed to discuss something with him and he obliged and we went into his office and shut the door. Fifteen minutes later, I emerged with a smile on my face.

I grabbed my own coffee and put in some sugar and grabbed one of Tiny's famous ginger cookies and took a seat across from the Captain.

"He said sure." I announced with a grin.

[Argos Ewan]

I was pleased to see he handled everything alright with Tiny. As Aramis sat down I sipped at my cup. After he explained what he found out from Tiny I sat my cup down. “That sounds good son. I knew Tiny would help out. He may not be tiny but he definitely has a big heart for people. Especially those in need. He loves being needed and I think his heart is bigger then he is. That is why he is such a valuable crewmember.”

I took another sip from my cup and sat it back down. “While you are here, there is something I want you to do for me now. As you already know, we’re going to be coming out of hyperspace in about three hours from now. When we do I want you to pilot the ship. It’ll be a good experience for you. I say that because when we come out of hyperspace were going to be coming out right in the middle of an asteroid belt. It will be the perfect place to hide the Eclipse’s plasma signature. The belt is the Miosic Asteroid Belt and is located in the Orrawir system that we are plotted for. The belt is located between the planet of Srefrot and it’s moons. When we come out of hyperspace we’ll have to not only do some evasive maneuvers to avoid the asteroids but we’re also going to have to change our heading for Abhean and reenter hyperspace. If you like, you can have Nawn help to map out the field for you. He is very good at navigation. Are you up to the challenge,” I asked as I looked for my son’s reactions to this task.

[Jace Keller]

"I would die if you left, Avalon. I don't want you to leave at all, I want you to be here with me. I love you, Avalon."

[Avalon Aquilo]

I looked at Jace and lightly smiled and put my hand on his cheek. "Oh Jace, you've just said the very words I have so longed to hear from you. I know this is a big step for you, but you don't have to worry about me. I understand completely what you do and what it means to you and the risks you take in doing it. I want you to promise me one thing though. Don't you ever think you have to change the risks you take in the fear of making me fearful of what you do. To do that would only make you second guess what you are doing and put you at a greater risk. Please don't do that. Please, promise me you won't do that. If you did that I would feel terrible if anything would happen to you because of me."

[Aramis Rakai]

I sat literally dumbfounded for a few seconds, this was a big deal for me. "You're not kidding, are you?" I was finally able to ask. Of course, he wasn't!

I'd never navigated a ship this size through an asteroid belt, except in simulation and I always made very high scores in that area. It made me kind of nervous though, this was Argos' baby and I didn't want to add to anymore of the scratches, dents or dings.

"I'm up for the challenge, if you're sure you want me to do it." I said.

[Jace Keller]

I always had to be Mr. Tough Guy and today, I just wanted to be Jace Keller. "I will do better now that I know I have you to come back to, besides who else would take care of this old Iskonian when he catches a cold?" I gave her a wink and smiled.

[Avalon Aquilo]

As I looked at Jace I began to shake my head. “No Jace, don’t you dare do that. I will always be here and I promise I’m never going to leave. Once your doing what your doing, don’t you think about me. It will be nothing but dangerous for you. You must remain focused to what your doing. Like I said, you changing the way you do things because of me isn’t a good thing. You know what you do and you know exactly how to do it. To change anything because of me only invites danger.”

I lowered my hand from his cheek and placed it in my lap again. “Jace, I want you to understand something and listen to me closely. I have learned much about life over the time of being a doctor. One thing I have learned is that to have anything bring second thoughts to what I ever did only brought on and bred mistakes.” I took his hands into mine. “You can not afford mistakes.”

“I can make mistakes and my life goes on. You make any mistakes and you will get hurt or worse, you could die with the death mark that is on you right now. You can not afford the luxury of not staying within the realm of what you are doing and remembering where you are.”

[Jace Keller]

"Well, you know all my bad habits. I drink and smoke, that's how I relax...so please don't ask me to quit, at least not right now." I stated as I thought about wanting a drink and needing a cigarette.

I sighed. "I really could use a smoke, is that possible?"

[Argos Ewan]

I looked at Aramis as he looked at me with surprise. "Don't be so surprised. Of coarse I want you to fly the Eclipse. I have faith in you. You'll do just fine. Besides, Nawn and I will be right there by your side should you need us. Just don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. We all need help from time to time and there is nothing wrong with asking for it."

He told me exactly what I wanted to here from him. I slammed my left hand down openly on the table top. "Great! I knew you'd be up for the challenge." I smiled at him as I continued. "Then it is done. Your on your way to discovering new personal horizons son. This is a great day for me."

[Aramis Rakai]

"And I as well." I said as I took a drink of my coffee. Things were really looking up, we were on our way to get my mom, I was flying the Eclipse and we had a new female crewmember.

"Oh, I showed Solani to her new room right before you called me up to the bridge. I think, she'll adapt well to her new surroundings." I advised.

[Avalon Aquilo]

I nodded my head as he explained his habits. "I understand, but as your doctor I'm going to have to tell you that your going to have to give up the booze. That is unless you want to go through what you just went through with your lungs again. The alcohol will only make it worse the next time though. I’m serious and I’m not kidding about this Jace. Once you’ve had a bout like this with your lungs it will come back on you with a vengeance the next time. So your going to have to quit drinking. With Iskonian’s, we consume way to much alcohol to feel anything from it. Our bodies can’t handle that after having a bout of what you just had. So like it or not your going to have to give it up.”

I shrubbed my shoulders at him as I looked at him. “Sorry but it is the price we pay for being what we are.”

[Argos Ewan]

As I sipped my coffee again I looked around and saw one of the crewmembers walking past us. “That is good Lieutenant. I think she will be a great asset to the crew too. I hope she has begun the repairs on our cannons on the Eclipse. I really hope to have everything ready for our mission. I don’t want us to get caught with our pants down again.”

[Jace Keller]

I sighed deeply as she told me that I'd have to give up my alcohol consumption. "That's going to be easier said than done, Avalon. Do you realize how long alcohol has been part of my life? Likely forever and I've not been off of it for more than three days at most." I'd already been two days and my body was itching for the foul liquor already.

[Avalon Aquilo]

I leaned over and kissed him. As our lips parted I put my forehead against his. "Don't worry. I'll be here for you and help you through it."

I sat up and moved to the edge of the bed and stood up. I walked over to the closet that had his clothes hanging in it. I pulled out the vest to his jacket and reached into the pocket inside it and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. "I think we'll begin right here for starters."

I unscrewed the cap from the bottle as I walked to a nearby sink. Once I got to the sink I tipped the bottle and dumped it into the sink as I looked back at Jace. "I love you Jace."

[Jace Keller]

I couldn't explain how it felt at that very moment as I watched the liquid hell being poured out, down the drain. For years, it had been how I survived...it helped me think, feel, react to periless situations. I had depended on it...and now it was leaving me.

Part of me felt sick as it got dumped, I knew what I was in for. Years ago, I had tried to kick the habit to no avail. I could only stand the hell for so long and went back to the peace I felt when that cursed liquid ran through my veins.

"Can't we wait? Just until this mission is over? Tomorrow or even a few more hours I may not be in any shape to help." I told her point blank. "I know how my body yearns for that and I know what I'm in store for...it's already begun."

[Avalon Aquilo]

As I looked at him to watch his reactions I also listened to what he was saying.

"You want to wait?" I suddenly opened my fingers from around the bottle and the bottle fell from my hand and crashed into the sink and shattered.

I walked toward Jace as I pointed my finger at him. "Jace, what did I just tell you? Nothing I said sunk into that thick skull of yours did it? Did you like how you've felt over the past couple of days? Do you want more of that and worse?"

I walked over to his bed and lay down next to him and put my arm around his neck and pulled him close to me. "Jace my love, I love you dearly. So don't think for one moment I am trying to be mean to you. I'm only trying to save you all the pain your trying to set yourself up for by putting this off."

I took his body and rolled it over on top of me and kissed him passionately and long as I pulled his body tightly against mine. Once our lips parted I asked, "now would you rather have that bottle or me? Because if you ever have that bottle again, your not going to want anything to do with me. You won't be able to because you'll be in to much pain to even think about me much less care about me. Is that what you want? What you want for us?"

[Jace Keller]

When she pulled me close, all my thoughts and feelings of my alcohol addiction ceased.

"I love you, Avalon and I'll wish I'm going to die tomorrow...but, with you here that will be enough." I told her and then kissed her.

[Avalon Aquilo]

As he kissed me I felt the world spin away from around me. Nothing mattered to me as he set my spirit flying away from me. I felt my spirit touch the ground again as he pulled his lips from mine. So disappointing, such a let down to have his lips leaving mine. I suddenly began to feel so empty without his passionate touch. "Jace, oh Jace. You make my soul feel so whole," I said as I whispered to him. "I feel so empty without your touch." I took his hand and placed it on my side and squeezed is fingers tightly into my side as my breathing began to speed up with my heartbeat. "Oh Gods, I want you so badly."

[Jace Keller]

I felt my own passion burn within me as I heard her words and held her tightly. "Then, I shall love you as never before..." I brought her closer to me and kissed her passionately.

[Avalon Aquilo]

As he pulled me tightly against his body and kissed me more passionately the thoughts in my mind began to fog over and my skin felt as if under total bliss.

I quickly began to think the best I could. Where am I. Oh Gods, there is something......what? Something, I'm afraid? Something around me. An intrusion. Gods I can't think. He is spinning my mind out of control. I......must....have ......contol!

Suddenly I pushed my head and body away from Jace as I shook my head. I quickly sat up in the bed and gripped my head with my hands as I labored to breathe. "Oh Gods!"

[Jace Keller]

She pulled away from me and sat up. I felt dumbfounded. Had I hurt her? Had I done something to upset her?

I sat up a moment later. "What is it? Did I hurt you?" I asked quietly and touched her arm gently.

[Avalon Aquilo]

I looked at Jace and my breathing began to return to me. I then began to realize what had just happened and I began to laugh uncontrollably. The more I laughed the harder it was for me to speak to him. “I ...I...” Again it was getting even harder. “You...you have no.....” I now laughed so hard that I fell onto the bed gripping my sides as I tried to calm down. When I thought I was calmed down enough I tried to speak once more. “When you kissed........kissed me I bega..............” again I went hysterical with laughter. So much so that I fell out of the bed as I laughed even harder. As if I were drunk I looked at Jace and tried to speak once more. “It’s not........not your fault.” I stopped laughing for a moment and got serious for a moment as I looked at him. Suddenly the laughter began to drive up through me again and broke loose from my lips as I began to roll across the floor laughing. “Yes it is!”

[Jace Keller]

I gave her an incredulous look. "What are you talking about? And what is sooo funny?" I crossed my arms wondering if it was my fault or not. Was she not pleased with me or what?

[Avalon Aquilo]

My sides hurt so badly from laughing. As the tears of happiness run down my cheeks I looked at Jace when I finally contained myself. Half out of breath I tried to talk to him again. "Jace.........I was so out of control."

I threw my arms around his neck. "You drive me crazy!" If you only had any idea of what you do to me."

I looked into his eyes and funny felt an inner calmness. "Jace, it was just that when you touched me like you did, my emotions went wild, Then I began thinking about when Argos walked in on us the last time. It was like two worlds colliding in my mind. It made me so giddy. So much so it was over whelming to me."

"I'm sorry, it is just something you do to me. I love it! I've never felt this way before."

[Aramis Rakai]

As I sipped my coffee again I looked around and saw one of the crewmembers walking past us. “That is good Lieutenant. I think she will be a great asset to the crew too. I hope she has begun the repairs on our cannons on the Eclipse. I really hope to have everything ready for our mission. I don’t want us to get caught with our pants down again.”


"Indeed, Captain. That would be rather bad. I've checked every ship in the hold and they are all ready for departure on your call." I told him confidently.

[Jace Keller]

My eyes widened as I stared at her and sniffed. "Really? I thought that was just my feelings about you. I really..." I paused a moment and sneezed.

Once finished I leaned back on my pillows and let out a deep sigh. "I really do that to you?" I asked.

[Solani Naleen]

Solani glances around the galley as she enters and glances around. She sees people who she doesn't recognize, but then she spots Aramis and the Captain. A smile crosses her face as she sees them, more because of Aramis then anyone else.

Her smile gets bigger though as she spies the pot of coffee which she makes a beeline for. Upon reaching the pot of coffee, she pours herself a cup and goes to look for a table to sit down at where she's not in the way.

[Argos Ewan]

I looked across the room and saw our newest crewmember coming in. "Well it looked like she's taking a break," as said as I looked at her. "I'm glad things are pulling together. We're going to need all the help we can get on this mission."

I stood up to leave, "We have very little time before we hit the asteroid fields. I'm going to check on Jace and then get back to the bridge to prepare for our first leg of the jump. I'll see you back at the bridge. Don't forget to talk to Nawn to help you prepare for the exit and rejump."

[Aramis Rakai]

I nodded. "Of course, Captain." I waited until he left and then walked over to the table where Solani was. "May I?" I asked as I motioned towards the empty seat across from her.

[Avalon Aquilo]

“Uh huh,” I replied. I began to wonder if what just happened seemed like something Jace wouldn‘t like about me and what he does to me. “Is that a bad thing?”

[Solani Naleen]

Solani looks up from her coffee and smiles.

"Of course Lieutenant, I wouldn't mind the company at all."

She says as she waves to an empty chair with one hand whild taking a sip of her coffee with the other.

[Jace Keller]

I shook my head. "No, not at all." I answered. "Can you hand me my cigs from my jacket pocket? I could really use one."

[Aramis Rakai]

I smiled and took a seat. "I'm sorry, I couldnt' show you around earlier, duty called. I can give you a tour now if you'd like." I offered and took a drink.

[Solani Naleen]

"I would like that, but honestly, right now, I just want to enjoy this cup of coffee. Something I haven't been able to enjoy in too long."

[Aramis Rakai]

I was kind of glad she did want to take it easy for a few moments. "That's fine." I took another drink and sat down the cup. "So, how did you get into weapons repair?"

[Avalon Aquilo]

"Sorry Jace, you can't smoke here. Not here in the Medical Bay. The oxygen here is very explosive."

[Solani Naleen]

"I'm quite enjoying it actually. There are a few things that I like better then mechanics, though right now, coffee is one of them."

Solani says as she wraps both her hands around the coffee mug, happier now then she has been in awhile.

[Aramis Rakai]

Was she avoiding my question, or perhaps she didn't hear me right. "Well, that's always good, but how did you get into the repair part of it?"

[Argos Ewan]

I left the Galley and went to the Madical Bay one last time to check up on Jace before we came out of hyperspace. I hoped my brother would be ready to take over the co-pilots station after heading to Abhean. He was going to have to be sharp and ready for this.

I walked into the Medical Bay and saw Jace and Avalon taking. "Sorry, I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

[Jace Keller]

"Oh, good point. Then can I go to the lounge or the galley, I really need to have a smoke." I gave her a pleading look.

[Solani Naleen]

"My Father taught me. He wanted a son, but instead he got a daughter, so he treated me as a son. As soon as I was old enough to grasp things in my hands without hurting myself, my Father had me playing with tools."

[Avalon Aquilo]

As the Captain walked in I turned my attention to him as I stood up from the bed. "Oh Captain. No your not interrupting anything. Is there something you need?"

I quickly turned and looked at Jace and smiled at him.

[Argos Ewan]

As she answered me I could see something had changed in her. I looked at Jace and smiled. "Well it seems things are going well here I believe. How are you feeling now?"

[Aramis Rakai]

I had to smile. "Seems we are one the same page. My mom...she taught me everything I knew. She's the one we're going after on this mission. That's why it's so important."

[Solani Naleen]

"I have to admit, I'm envious now. You're getting a chance to get your Mom back. I would love a chance to get my Father back, but I know I never will. I sincerely hope that we succeed at rescuing your Mom."

[Jace Keller]

"I feel better, just need a smoke and I'll be up to par." I answered and looked at Avalon again. "Can I have one or do I have to beg and embarrass myself in front of my brother?"

[Avalon Aquilo]

I looked at the Captain and then back at Jace. "You can if you wish just not here. Maybe the Captain can take you to the Galley."

[Jace Keller]

I looked at my brother. "Want to go for a smoke, bro?"

[Argos Ewan]

I looked at Jace and then back at Avalon after what he just said to her. "Is he well enough for that?"

[Aramis Rakai]

I nodded. "So, do I. She's an awesome person and I hope you get to meet her." I paused for a moment. "I'm sorry to hear about your father, my father died in a tsunami on our planet. My mom and I barely got out alive and I was very young then, only about thirtysomething. The trauma of it caused a memory block so I don't remember much before that or even around that time."

[Avalon Aquilo]

I walked back over to Jace and kissed him on the cheek and then smiled at him. "Yes, I think he'll be just fine."

[Solani Naleen]

"Don't be sorry. As much as I hate to admit it, my Father had it coming to him. And then one day he just didn't make it far enough and now he's gone.

Don't get me wrong, I loved my Father, I still do, but he kinda pushed his luck to far.

What does your Mother do on the crew here?"

[Argos Ewan]

I nodded my head as I watched Avalon kiss my brother. "Well, well. What can I say? I am very envious of you brother. Very Envious."

I looked at Avalon and smiled from ear to ear.

[Avalon Aquilo]

I was embarrassed at the Captain’s kind words. “Thank you Captain.....for everything.” I walked over and kissed him on the cheek. “I know you had a hand in this,” I said as I whispered into his ear. “Thank you.”

[Jace Keller]

I nodded and gave Avalon a smile. "Well the woman saved my life and I've loved her from the moment I met her, but you knew that." I took back the sheet and carefully put my legs over the edge of the bed. "Can I have my pants now?" I asked her with a grin.

[Aramis Rakai]

"She's a Mechanical Specialist and she was the acting Lieutenant." I answered as I took another sip of my drink.

[Solani Naleen]

"Awesome."

Solani finishes her mug of coffee and smiles.

"So tell me Lieutenant, what do you do around here for entertainment?"

[Avalon Aquilo]

I stood next to the Captain and looked up at him as I crossed my arms. "I don't know? What do you think Captain? I kind of like him how he is?"

[Aramis Rakai]

"We gamble some, sabbac mostly and party after a big raid. Drinks all around and other times we just keep to ourselves and in those times, I spend a lot of time in my workshop downstairs in the hangar bay. Other than that, I've not done too much, now Jace on the other hand...he's the wild one, no one can party like him and yet he's serious and level-headed when he needs to be."

[Argos Ewan]

I put my hands up in front of myself as i looked down at Avalon. "Oh no you don't. I'm not touching that one."

I smiled at her and then looked at my brother. "I'll meet you in the galley. Don't keep me waitng long. I have much to do."

I turned and walked back to the galley.

[Solani Naleen]

"So what do you do when you aren't partying and you aren't keeping to yourself?"

[Aramis Rakai]

"I study drive manuals and tech manuals mostly. I do a lot of tinkering in my workshop, making my own tools and things of that sort."

[Solani Naleen]

"Sounds like you don't do much to just kick back and relax do you? Not that reading manuals isn't productive, but you need fun in your life."

[Argos Ewan]

I walked into the galley and saw my son still talking to Solani. I hated to interrtupt their conversation but I knew he had much work to do and very little time to do it in. I walked over to the Lieutenant's side. "Excusse me Lieutenant. I don't mean to interrupt you two but I think Nawn is waiting for your sim on the mission. This would be a good time for me take a moment to speak to our newest crewmember for just a moment."

[Aramis Rakai]

I would have loved to talk to her some more, she was an utterly interesting girl and beautiful at that as well. I nodded to the Captain. "Yes, Captain. I'm on my way." I stood and gave Solani a short bow. "It was a pleasure talking with you, perhaps we can do it again very soon." I would make certain of it!

She had the most gorgeous eyes and her smile...I could hear my heart thump and never had that happen before. I hated to have to leave.

"Captain." I nodded as I turned on my heel and walked out of the galley.

[Solani Naleen]

Solani nods at Aramis as he stands up.

"I'll talk with you some more later then Lieutenant."

She then looks at the Captain.

"Greetings Captain."

[Argos Ewan]

"Hello. Please, please have a seat," I said as I motioned to her seat.

As she sat down I looked down at her. "I spoke with our Lieutenant and he reported that he is quite impressed with your work. Good job and keep up the good work," I said as I smiled at her.

I looked over and saw Jace enter the galley and looked back at Solani. "I wish I could speak with you more but I have a few things I have to take care of. Please excusse me."

I turned away and walked over to Jace and pointed at a nearby table. "Here, let's sit down over here. There is something I need to speak with you about. I don't have much time left though."

[Solani Naleen]

"Thank-you Captain"

Solani says, curious on why the Captain wishes to speak with her.

[Jace Keller]

I appeared in a robe, sleep pants and slippers that Avalon had gotten from somewhere. Just walking down here, I was tired. I took a seat across from my brother as Tiny came out. "Good to see ya up and about, how about some coffee, Jace?" He asked with a grin.

"That would be great." I said as I blew my nose into a hanky. I cleared my throat as Tiny gave me a cup of coffee and walked back into the kitchen.

I took a drink and looked at my brother. "What's up, Captain?" I asked as I took out a cigarette and lit up. The nicotine rushed into my system and it made me cough.

[Argos Ewan]

I looked at my brother as he smoked his cigarette. I slid my chair out and reached across to the table next to ours and got an ashtray for him. As I sat back into my seat I slid the ashtray toward his across the table. I looked at him and smiled. "I wanted to see how your doing. You're looking much better. It seems you have just a tick to you yet though, but I'm sure your going to be fine. Especially with Avalon by your side now. She's a great find Jace. You'll do well to keep her in your back pocket so to speak. Keep and hold her close. Your going to find her a great asset to your life I am sure."

I shifted in my chair and placed my hands together upon the table. "I mean that seriously Jace. With that aside I wanted to tell you how proud I am of you. Even though you haven't told me exactly what is going on between the two of you I could tell by her expression and enthusiasm you've made the right choice on where the two of you are headed. It is long overdue."

“Right now there is nothing you and her have to do. We’re going to be jumping out of hyperspace in the next hour or two and then back into hyperspace for at least two days before we get to Abhean. I want you two to spend at least one of those days getting to know each other better in your quarters. Spend the day together exploring each other. This should be an intimate time for you and her both. Take that time and enjoy it. Believe me, times like that are rare these days and hard to come by. Take advantage of it while you can.”

[Jace Keller]

I looked at my brother and took another puff, then flicked off the ash into the ashtray. "In another day or so, my enjoyment won't matter. I'll be in withdraw and probably beg you to shoot me." I told him dryly and took another drag.

[Argos Ewan]

I looked at him and wondered, "what is that all about?"

[Jace Keller]

"The alcohol you've so wanted me to get off of? Well, you got your wish, seems she wants me off the alcohol or it's no deal. I had to chose either her or the bottle, I chose her." I took a drink of my coffee and sighed deeply and then sneezed.

"Ohh, I'm sick of being sick!" I grumbled as I ran a hand through my messy hair.

[Argos Ewan]

I looked at Jace and began to smile. "Jace, it's not as bad as you think. If you'll remember right, the very person your giving up the booze for is a doctor. If you'd just ask her I'm sure she would give you something to help you through the withdraws."

[Jace Keller]

"The price that comes for being in love." I said. "I love her and I've known a long time that one day, I'd have to stop the drinking. Just didn't think it would be this soon."

[Argos Ewan]

I lughed at Jace in how he was acting. "Well it's not......."

Suddenly I began to feel something different. I put my hands flat to the table and knew instantly what was about to happen. I stood up and looked at Jace. "Jace, get back to Avalon. We're about to come out of hyperdrive. Do it quickly, I've got to go."

I turned away from my brother and headed toward the bridge.

As I entered the bridge I saw Aramis and Nawn at the sim computers. "It is time Aramis. I hope your ready."

I sat in the Captains chair and turned on the ships alert system. “Now hear this; all crews stand down from intruder alert. I repeat, stand down from intruder alert.”

I hesitated for a moment and again gave out my orders. “Attention all crewmembers. Red Alert! Secure all stations for evasive maneuvers. We are about to enter the Miosic Asteroid Belt. Repair crews stand by for possible impact. This is not a drill. I repeat this is not a drill.” I reached over and switched on the alert warning. Immediately, all the red security lights in the ship began flashing, the ship’s lighting dimmed slightly and the claxon began sounding off.

I allowed the claxon to sound off for one full minute and looked toward Nawn. “Nawn, kill that infernal noise.”

Nawn reached over on his console and flipped the claxon controls and the claxon went silent but the red warning lights kept flashing just as they should.

As I looked on my console I could see we were just about to come out of hyperspace. I leaned my head back to make sure Nawn and Aramis heard me clearly. Strap yourselves in gentlemen. We’re going to be in for one hell of a ride.” I quickly drew my belts over my shoulders and fastened myself in my chair. As I looked around I saw Nawn and Aramis quickly doing the same.

After fastening my belts I opened a compartment on the right arm of my chair and keyed in my command. “All energy now to forward shields now on full!” I keyed in another command and the ships controls retracted from my chair and hissed as they folded downward. As the piloting controls on Aramis’s chair extended upward next to his hands, they too hissed as they came up and locked into place. From the front consoles a holo-targeting display came up and turned on to help assist in navigating and targeting.

I looked at my son and winked at him as the hull of the ship began to reverberate through it‘s hull as it was about to come out of hyperspace. “This is it! It’s all yours Lieutenant! Let’s go save your mother! Just get us in the right direction in one piece!”

[Aramis Rakai]

This was one moment I was looking forward to. The trust and faith my father had put in me was the one opportunity he had given to me to let me prove myself once and for all. I had practiced enough with Nawn on the sims and got to know the tricks of the Eclipse and how to handle her in the asteroid field, especially this one. From what Nawn had taught me this field was like no other. The perfect disguise for the ship to hide in from the Imperial Force scans of the area.

As the Captain gave his command I strapped myself in as the piloting controls raised from my chair arms.

As the ship came out of hyperdrive I could see the starstream chance in front of me. I quickly looked down and took notice of the images now showing on the holo-targeting screen on the console in front of me. Within the screen I could see a mark showing our destination for our next jump and the asteroids between us and that point.

As we remained at our high rate of speed I took a hold of the controls and maneuvered the ship around the asteroids as they came toward the ship. I quickly and smoothly shifted the controls to move the ship out of the asteroids way as they tumbled toward us as. I shifted the ship to the left and then flew it to the right while diving beneath the next one.

The Eclipse responded perfectly and I moved it like a thread going through the eye of a needle. As I flew the ship I quickly looked down to make sure we were heading in the right direction for our next jump. As I looked away from the screen I suddenly saw a huge asteroid coming from the left toward the nose of the ship. Being careful to not over react to it’s presence I smoothly pulled the controls back to bring the ships nose upward to allow the asteroid to pass beneath us. Time after time I dodged and weaved the Eclipse to our jumping position.

As we reached our jump position I saw on the nav-results blinking on the holo-screen. As I concentrated on the view before me I reached forward with my left hand toward the jump controls. I could now see the jump counter beginning to count off the distance to the jump location. “Prepare to jump,” I announced. “In five..........four........three.........two....... ..one..........Jump!” I hit the controls to the hyperdive and the ship immediately thrusted the Eclipse into hyperspace.

After the jump completed I looked at my father. “Jump completed Captain.” I turned the controls back over to my father as I switched the controls on my chair and the controls hissed as they lowered and my father’s raised now giving him the controls back.

As the controls retracted from my chair I leaned back and exhaled slowly. I looked at my father from my chair with disbelief of what I had just done. “That was intense! Now, let’s go get my mother.”

I spun my chair around and looked at Nawn. “Nawn, thank you very much for helping me on the navs. It was a great help. Especially your help with the sims. It was right on the money.”

[Nawn Erdon]

I turned and shut off the nav-sims computer and then looked at Aramis. "Lieutenant, I only gave you the knowledge. You did the flying all by yourself. The Captain nor I helped you. You should be very proud of your accomplishment."

[Argos Ewan]

I listened to Nawn and looked at Aramis with pride. "He is right Lieutenant. You did this all by yourself. You deserve all the pride you've just earned."

I pulled out the com-mic and put it on. "Captain to crew, we have just reentered hyperdive. All crewmembers can now stand down." I reasched down and sut off the ships warning system and the red lights shut off and the ships lights came back to full strength.

[Aramis Rakai]

I smiled and gave them both a nod. "Thank you, Captain, Commander." I blew out a sigh and relaxed.

[Nawn Erdon]

I walked over to the Lieutenant and patted him on the shoulder. "Don't thank me Lieutenant. You worked hard to learn this and have earned everything you just did."

I turned and looked at the Captain. "With your permission Captain, I'd like to go and get something to eat and get some rest before we do our briefing. I am ready for that now."

[Argos Ewan]

As Nawn made his request I nodded my approval. "Yes, please do. I'm going to dothe same. I've not slept for days now."

I watched as Nawn left the bridge as the doors shut behind him. After the door shut I walked up behind my son and put my hand on his shoulder. "Son, what you just did was nothing less than astounding. I am awesomely proud of you. Not many pilots can do what you just did in that short of time. VERY well done. As your Father, there has never been anything in my life that has ever made me as proud as you have just made me." I walked around to the front of my son and winked at him. "Your mother would have been very proud of you."

[Aramis Rakai]

"I just want to get to her, Father. I want things to be as they were, when you were happy...when you had her." I replied solomnly.

[Aramis Rakai]

*Ignore this post, please*

[Argos Ewan]

I was so tired and now he was mentioning the one thing I hadn't had time to think about. I had become so busy, so driven. I turned away from him and put my hands behind my back and walked over to look out the view glass of the bridge.

I had turned away from him to hide my feelings and yet they struck me like a knife from within me and it hurt very much. "I'm......I'm only praying she'll be there for me. Uh,................ I mean us. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that son."

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

Even if you cried, they continued their torture. The lashes ripped into my skin and I felt the blood drip down my back and sting the other already infected cuts there.

Hot tears fell from my eyes as they unstrung me from the whipping posts and I fell in a heap on the cool metal flooring. I wanted to die, but the only thing that was keeping me here was the sound of my son's voice in my mind. We had somehow connected through the Force and it gave me hope.

I felt rough hands pick me up and drag me away, I hadn't the strength to stand, or even open my eyes. The damage to my body was bad, I burned with fever as they took me back to that dark hell and threw me into my cell. I lay there crumpled on the cool floor, crying for I could do nothing else.

[Tony Maxwell]

The cell was dark and dirty, exactly what you were predict in the cell aboard the Imperial prison freighter, the Lynx. The walls were made of rough dark gray metal. It was cold to the touch. The floor and the ceiling were the same and just as cold. The cell was small and it's only light was, well, there was no light. There was no grill in the door or a light on the ceiling. It was pure, cold darkness. It was unknown whether the cell was chilled or if it naturally attained it's low temperature on it's own. In the end the reasons or the means didn't matter. All that did was the uncomfortable chill those within the cell were forced to endure.

In the cell existed two benches, both roughly the size of a thin, single bed and made of the same cold, gray metal as the rest of the cell. One bench was empty while the other was occupied. On the bench lay a man dressed in a torn business suit. His hair was getting to the shaggier side of life and was a lovely rich brown, as was his eyes. His face was red in many places from being beaten by his Imperial captors and bruises dotted the other visible areas of skin. His eyes were closes and his body was quite still. He'd been thrown in this cell and only the gift of a few moments of conciousness allowed him to pull himself up on the bench before drifting into darkness. But now he was waking up. His eyes fluttered open and he groaned, his right hand coming up to rub a large bump on the side of his head. The bump was turning from a dark red to a lovely shade of purple, "Damn Imperials," He swore as he recalled the butt of an Imperial regulation blaster rifle coming down on his head.

Tony Maxwell, President of Maxwell Industries, slowly rose to a sitting position; grunting and cursing the whole way. Finally he sat upright. He let his head slump into his upturned hands. He wanted to curse, he wanted to fight, but most of all he wanted to cry. He'd been beaten, tortured, and imprisoned. And this was just the beginning. He'd be at the spice mines of Kessel before he knew it and then he'd be truly damned. Was he innocent? Of course not. He'd single handedly stroked the fire of Rebellion among the people of Naboo. He'd planted a seat the Empire could never weed out. He'd done a good job, by his reckoning.

A strange sound caused him to raise his heads out of his hands and look around. A whimper brought his attention to the floor. It took his eyes a moment to adjust enough for him to make out the shape of something on the floor. He slowly slipped off his bench and dropped to his knees. He extended his hand and probbed the object. He discovered it was a person. A little accidental gropping revealed that the person was a woman.

Without a second thought Tony located the persons head, slipped a hand under the back of her neck and the other hand behind her knees. He picked her up and stagged back to the bench. He set her down as gently as possible. He ripped off his suit jacket, wadded it up, and slipped the makeshift pillow under the woman's head. As his eyes continued to adjust he could makeout the signs of abuse on her body. The marks, the bruises, the scars, the still fresh blood, "Are you okay?" He whispered, just in case the Warden was eavesdropping.

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

I tensed for a second from the touch of another. I was too exhausted to fight back and figured I was in for another beating.

But, the voice I heard was not threatening. It was gentle and kind and it was a man. "I'm hot...and thirsty..." I answered weakly. "Who are you?"

[Aramis Rakai]

It was my turn to be supportive as I placed a hand on my father's shoulder. "She's going to be there, I know it. I can feel it." I told him.

[Argos Ewan]

"I know you can son and that upsets me even more," I replied.

I thought back as I sighed. Back to a time of the past before I ever met his mother.

Many times I had seen the brutality that the Emipre dished out to my crewmembers. Their bodies, their broken bones and spirits. Some I had known to be so strong that their spirits were so broken they were never the same again. All I could think of now is how slow this ship seemed and how quickly I wanted to get to her before I lost her.

I sighed as I continued to look out into space. "It is a thing in which no child should experience in their parent. It can change a person son. So much pain, so much anger. That which you must control. If you don't it will overtake and rule you and you will loose your self-control. You must remain in control or it will control and destroy you and those around you."

[Aramis Rakai]

"She's not broken...her spirit is not." That much I knew. Her body, had been tortured and that I could see and feel and my father wasn't to know much of that. It would only torture him more and he needed not that.

"We're going to get to her and we're going to save her."

[Argos Ewan]

I slightly turned my head to look at Aramis and nodded my head. "Yes we are. I only hope there is anything left of her."

I turned my head back to look at the rushing starscape in front of me as I spoke again in a calm, mild but flat voice as my anger boiled inside of me. "Yes we are and those who are there that have done their worst with her will pay." I nodded my head once more. "They will pay so dearly that they alone will wish they had never been born; this................I have sworn and may the Gods help those who get in my way. Because it is only the Gods who will stop me."

I looked back at Aramis with anger in my face and eyes. "This I promise."

[Aramis Rakai]

"And I'll be right there with you. They will pay." I nodded.

[Tony Maxwell]

"Sorry, I don't have any water," His own lips were parched and cracked from blows and lack of water, "I'm Tony. Tony Maxwell. Looks like we're in this boat together," He looked her over and only then realized the horrible state of her clothing. It was ragged, ripped, and torn in many places. What threads were left did not serve to protect her modesty, but somehow he wasn't sure she really cared anymore. He averted his eyes and looked into her face instead, he was still kneeling on the floor beside the bench, "So, what are you in for?" He smiled a little because the way he phrased the question seemed silly to him.

[Argos Ewan]

I quickly turned on Aramis and held a pointed finger at him. Remembering who I was about to speak to and what he meant to me, I shook my finger at him. "No son, don't do that."

I lowered my hand and sat down and briefly looked at the floor and then back at him. "Son, I have been here before. It was another time and other people were involved. I've seen what the Imperial Inquisitions did to those of my crew. If your going to be with me I want you to do only one thing, and that is get her out. I will do what must be done. How it is going to have to be done, you need not endure. I must do this alone." I stood back up and looked at him. "This is not about revenge, this is vendetta. Known in my family as Canli and it is my right to claim it and I shall have it."

[Aramis Rakai]

I nodded. "Then I will do what I can to get her out." I vowed this to him and to the Gods, if they were listening.

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

I coughed slightly before I spoke. "I'm a pirate and we were in the midsts of raiding this medical barge...hmmmph, some medical barge..." I coughed again.

"I was left behind...because I couldn't get back to the ship. And no, I don't blame them for leaving, it's our protocol. My name is Quay Rakai-Ewan, it's nice to meet you..." I could feel my consciousness flicker.

[Argos Ewan]

I walked over to him with the assurance of what he was telling me and put my hand onto his shoulder. "Then it is in the open and know you know my intentions. Just do what you've now said, and leave the rest to me. I promise, you'll have your revenge through me."

I took my other hand and rubbed my forehead. "Let's speak of this no more. I am tired and very weary and we still have much to do. Right now I'm going to go to the Medical Bay and ask Celeste or Avalon to give me something to help me sleep. I am in much need of rest. Meanwhile, can you handle the ship?" I looked him in the eyes. "Why am I asking? Of coarse you can. Anyone who can fly a ship like this through an asteroid field like you just did can handle anything."

[Aramis Rakai]

A grin came to my features. "Aye-aye, Captain. Get some rest, your ship is in good hands."

[Tony Maxwell]

His smile went away, "That's terrible," He remarked, "... I'm in here under charges of Rebellion..." He sighed and leaned against the wall at the head of the bench, so that his head was near hers, "I don't know how long you've been in here, but did you hear about the inserrection on Naboo? The Empire probobly labeled it as open rebellion, not an inserrection. I fired them up, speaches and such, and when I was captured they all got fired up even more and went after the Empire with a vengeance," He laughed weakly in the darkness, "They all went to their deaths..."

[Argos Ewan]

"Aye-aye, Captain," I asked. "Are you kidding? There isn't anyone here." I reached over and took him into my arms and embraced him as I whispered into his ear. "I love you son and I'm very very proud of you." I took my hands and placed them into his shoulders as I shook my head. "Very proud of you." I took my right hand and put it into a first and tapped him on the top of his left shoulder a few times. "Very proud of you indeed."

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

"Acts of Rebellion, huh?" His voice seemed to bring me back to some likely state of ongoing consciousness. "I don't think, I've ever been to Naboo, we've always stayed away from the plentiful districts..." I paused and felt him close. It was a good feeling, even if he was just another prisoner...he wasn't a threat.

"The Imperials wouldn't kill me...they'd rather torture us, it's there lot in life, I believe. Killing us is too easy, our lives are a game to them. I don't even know how long I've been here..."

[Jace Keller]

I yawned tiredly and opened my eyes, I was still in the Medical Bay. It seemed the joyride was over, I missed those days and soon would be thrown back into it. But, for now I could rest, which I needed badly after the five weeks of catching an hour of sleep here or there.

I rubbed my eyes as Avalon came in. "Hello, luv." I greeted with a smile. "So, when can we go back to my personal quarters?"

[Aramis Rakai]

I had to break the solemness between us, pulling the 'aye-aye, Captain' seemed to have worked. It made us briefly forget about what we were up against and what was on our plate in just a few days.

I returned the embrace and smiled as he told me how proud he was. "Thank-you, father." I said.

[Argos Ewan]

I felt very happy for this moment with my son. His embrace felt so filling and caring. It was a time which I new had brought new grounds between us and was exactly what I needed in my life right now. "Your most welcome my son. Just don't ever think your not important to me. I truely can't express how strongly I have felt about you for such a long time. You are exactly the very son I thought I would never have and am glad you are who and what you are; my son."

[Avalon Aquilo]

As I walked int he room Jace looked at me with such eagerness and look rather healthy. As I walked up to him I took the fingers of my left hand and ran them down the side of his face. "Hello darlin," I replied.

Actually it may have seemed that I was playing up to him but I was actually checking his tempature and he felt just fine to my touch.

I sat down on his bed and continued to check him. I leaned over and lay my head onto his chest and listened to his heart and lungs as I spoke to him. "Are you anxious to leave me already?" As I head my ear to his chest I awaited his reply so I could hear how clear his lungs were and to see how regular his heart was right now.

[Aramis Rakai]

It was good to be thought of as his son, my mother never told me of my real father all I knew was that he died. And I was the only remnants of what was left.

"Thank you for being my father, even if not by blood." I told him.

[Jace Keller]

"I'm not ready to get rid of you, I want you to come with me. I want us to spend some time together, if you would like that." I said as she held her head against my chest.

[Argos Ewan]

I shook my head after he replied. "Aramis, you are my son as far as I am concerned. You need not thank me for anything. Anything I do for you is simply nothing less than what I will always do for you or feel about you." I smiled at him to assure him that what I was saying was from my heart.

"With that said, I am going to go and see Celeste or Avalon. I am really beat and I know I'll never get any rest without their help. I will talk to you after I awaken."

I turned and walked out of the bridge and headed toward the Medical Bay.

[Avalon Aquilo]

His lungs and heart sounded good, not quite perfect yet, but good. I pushed myself up and looked at him with a surprised look.

"Oh Jace, I would love to. But are you sure this is what you want?"

[Jace Keller]

I coughed and looked at her with a smile. "I love you and I want to say it more than just with words."

[Celeste Jade]

I was on my way to the bridge to find Aramis, I really wanted to talk to him. I was ready to confess my feelings to him. It was time.

I rounded the corner and ran right into the Captain and fell on my bum.

"Captain..."

[Argos Ewan]

As I walked toward the Medical Bay I walked around the corner and walked directly into Celeste. As I bumped into her she began to fall to the floor. I reached for her to break her fall but missed her.

After she hit the floor I reached down to her. "Celeste, I am sorry here let me help you up." As I reached for her she took my hands. "Funny running into you. I was just coming to the Med Bay to seek your help."

As I helped her up I continued to explain. "I was coming to see you because I need your help in sleeping. I've tried sleeping a couple of times, but have not succeeded in getting any sleep at all. It's been two or three days since I've got any sleep. Can you help me? I really need to get some rest, or I'm not going to be any good for anyone in this mission."

[Celeste Jade]

It was almost as if my mind had gone adrift for a moment as I stared at him. His words didn't even register with me as he helped me to my feet.

[Avalon Aquilo]

I looked at Jace and held my hands out toward him. "I am all yours Jace. You never need to ask me that. My heart and soul is yours for the taking. This is what I have dreamed of Jace."

[Argos Ewan]

I looked at her as looked at me strangely and blankly. "Celeste, did you hear me? Are you alright?"

[Jace Keller]

I smiled and leaned in to kiss her. Her lips were so soft, I couldn't seem to get enough. I wanted to drink in her spirit and let it flood me. I rose from the bed and scooped her up into my arms.

With ease, I took her to my personal quarters and hit the door button. A moment later the door slid shut behind us and locked...

[Celeste Jade]

"Huh?" I shook my head. "Oh, I'm sorry, Captain...I don't know what came over me. What was it you wanted?" I head cleared and I gave him an apologetic look.

[Argos Ewan]

I looked her carefully, "I was just one my way to see if you could give me something to help me sleep. I'm having a terrible time sleeping and I am so tired."

[Celeste Jade]

I nodded quickly. "Yes, of course. Come with me." I led him to the Med Bay and went in, Avalon and Jace were nowhere to be seen.

"Well, I guess he's much better now." I commented as I went to one of my supply stations and unlocked it. I pulled out a bottle of sedatives and opened it up, pouring three pills into my hand I turned and gave them to him. "I'd only take one for now, it should last you for about six or seven hours, if you can't get back to sleep...take another. I think, you'll feel alot clearer headed when they wear off, Captain." I told him. "Perhaps fourteen hours of sleep will do you some good."

[Nawn Erdon]

I left the galley and went toward my quarters to get some much needed rest. As I walked down the hall toward my quarters I happened to walk by Jace's quarters. As I walked by I heard a voice from within his quarters. It was a loud voice, and yet, I couldn't make out what they were saying.

I walked closer to his quarters door and put my ear to it and listened closely.

"Oh Jace! Don't......Stop! Don't stop! Oh, Gods! I can't stand it anymore! Please don't do that to me! Don't take it from me!"

I stepped back from the door and thought It sounds like Avalon! Jace is hurting her! I threw my hands to my mouth to make sure I wasn't being heard if I were speaking aloud. I've got to help her! she is to nice of a person to be hurt! What could she have done to deserve such treatment and what is he doing to her!

I quickly stepped back to the door as I was about to try to force my way in to help her when I listened one more time.

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Jace! Oh Gods, that feels sooooooooo good!"

I could now feel the blood pumping to my face with embarrassment and I quickly ran away to my quarters

[Jace Keller]

The tip of the ear was an Iskonian's eroganous zone as well as an Inleshat's. So, a good lick here and a minor suck there, would send them through the roof and that's what I did. It did exactly as I had planned.

So much so, that when I stopped she pulled me right back to her, so I continued to nibble her ear that drove her crazy.

[Argos Ewan]

I nodded my head as she explained everything to me about the pills. "That sounds perfect. I only want something to help me get to sleep and I think this will work just fine." I handed one of the pills back to her. "I think two of these will be plenty. Thanks Celeste; I owe you one."

[Celeste Jade]

I smiled shyly and took the third pill back. "No problem, Captain. Sweet dreams!" I said as he walked out and I put the pill back where it came from and thought about going back to Aramis, but didn't. Instead, I went into my office and began reading some data pads.

[Argos Ewan]

After taking the medication Celeste gave me I went to my quarters and lay down in my bed. Oh the bed felt so soft and yet so empty to me. I missed having Quay’s naked body next to mine.

Slowly the medication crept into my mind and my eyes began to feel so heavy. After a brief moment I began to fall asleep. Shortly after falling into a deep sleep, a fog began to come into my view.

As the fog cleared I found myself being struck and thrown to the floor by two Imperial Guards.

A dark clothed figure walked up to me as I looked closer at it. It was an Imperial General.

“Guards, Guards. Please, Pick the Captain up. We must be nice to him. After all, we have something he wants don’t we Captain.”

The two guards picked me up from the floor and stood me before the General. “Huh, what? What do you have that I could possibly want?”

“Oh come now Captain,” the General replied. “You know we have your wife here with us. Come, we’ll show you to her.”

As the General walked away, the guards drug my sore beaten bloody body behind the General as he walked ahead of us. “I was using her for my personal entertainment but she insists on not cooperating. Maybe she will if you ask her to,” the General said as he walked a head of me.

The General stepped into room and turned on the lights. He pointed toward a plassteel chair close by him. “Strap him down there please.”

The guards took me to the chair and used leather straps to lash me to the chair. Once done the guards walked away from me and the General sat a chair down next to me and sat on it. “I think you might like this Captain.” He raised his right hand which held a device and he pushed a button on it. When he did a light came on which now lit up a section of the room.

There in that part of the room I could see Quay’Na with her hands strapped over her head to a post. One of the guards walked toward her with a electro-whip. “The guard there has an electro-whip. I’ve never seen any species that has ever withstood over fifty lashes of this whip and lived.”

I watched as the other guard walked over to Quay’Na and ripped the back of her shirt from her body to expose her flesh. The first guard walked toward her as he unfurled the whip. I looked at the General. “Why are you doing this to her? What do you want from me?”

He looked at me as he smiled. “If you want her to be free then she must simply do one thing, just scream. I simply must have my scream. It is so little to ask but she insists on not cooperating.” He looked at he guard with the whip. "Please proceed.”

The guard hit Quay with the whip and the General sounded off with each stroke of the whip. “One, two, three....”

I looked at Quay as she bit her lip as tears ran down her face. Her body twitched with each blow of the whip. As I looked at her, she looked at me, I moved my lips to tell her to scream. With each following blow she shook her head in refusal to comply as asked.

“Twenty-two, twenty-three....”the General continued.

I began to cry as I watched her being beaten. I began to whisper to her, “Quay’Na, my love. Please; scream!”

She sadly looked at me as she shook her head and continued taking the beating.

“Thirty-nine, forty, forty-one.....” he continued as he smiled.

“Stop this,” I yelled. “Quay’Na, PLEASE! SCREAM!”

As it continued Quay’Na’s eyes began to close as the beating continued.

Forty-seven, forty-eight, forty-nine,” the count continued.

As the last stroke of the whip came down I screamed. “Quay’Na!”

Suddenly I sat up in my bed still screaming and fell to the floor with my arms and hands entangled in my blanket. I pulled and pulled at the blanket and couldn’t free my hands from the binding. Still groggy from the drugs I couldn't tell where I was and began calling for assistance. “Help us! Somebody help us, please!”

[Tony Maxwell]

"Well, I can't say that I've been as tortured as you, but I will agree with what you say. They seem to get no greater pleasure then that which they recieve while sticking needles under my fingernails and stabbing me with stunrods. And to make it all worse they don't feed us," He couldn't remember how long it'd been since he'd had a true meal, "I really wish I could get just one more decent meal before they ship me down to the surface of Kessel to work for the rest of my existance."

[Celeste Jade]

I had given up on my thoughts of Aramis for the night, I couldn't tell him how I felt and this just wasn't the time to bring something up like that. I slowly walked to my bunkroom and had just stepped past the Captain's quarters...when I heard him scream.

"Captain!" I called and hit the door button. It slid open and I quickly made my way in. I was engulfed in darkness and felt for the light. "Captain! What's wrong!?!" I cried as I finally found the light button and pressed it. I was blinded momentarily, as I made my way over to his fleeting form. He seemed to be tangled in his blankets and was struggling on the floor to get out. "Captain! It's me, Celeste. It's alright." I said as I gently touched his arm to calm him. He was a sweaty mess and the look in his eyes disturbed me terribly. "It's alright."

[Argos Ewan]

I saw that the General had turned the lights on full as one of the guards came toward me. I thrashed about trying to free myself to get to Quay'Na. "Did she scream?! Is she alive?! Release me!"

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

I couldn't remember the last time I ate. Had it been so long ago, it had. I remembered vomiting bile, after being hungry and shaking in the darkness wondering if this nightmare would ever end. The whips, the chains...and more.

"...they violated me..." the thought came from my lips, remembering time and time again, how they worshipped their pleasure on me. I fought, but could not win that battle. I was broken inside...they had torn me open and used me to suit their pleasures. It made me sick and after I was too weak to fight, I prayed for it to end...or just to die...

[Celeste Jade]

"Captain! It's Celeste! You're on your ship! Quay'Na is not here! You're having a nightmare, Sir!" I said more firmly, hoping it was enough to rouse him from his drugged stupor.

[Tony Maxwell]

He said nothing in reply. He couldn't even look at her anymore, lest he see the pain in her eyes and succumb to tears. He felt his hand curl into a fist. He thumped the floor, the sound generated echoed through the little cell for a second, "It's just so wrong..." He said at last, "The Empire is suppose to be this grand, generous government that serves the people. That's what it had been before it became the monster it is today... If I wasn't stuck in here I'd be out there proclaiming Rebellion to everyone willing to listen. A tyrannic abomination like the Empire should not be alowed to exist. It should be stopped... by any means neccessary."

[Argos Ewan]

"Quay'Na! Where are you," I yelled and waited to hear her reply.

As I looked from left to right to find her I began to realize something different, something wrong. I looked at Celeste as my eyes were now beginning to focus on her. "Ce.....Celeste?" I looked around myself. "Whe.....where, what am I doing here?"

I slowly began to understand my surroundings and saw where I was. "Oh Gods. I can't take this much longer." I put my hands to my face to hide my shame as I shook my head. "Celeste, I don't know how much longer I can keep myself together without her."

[Celeste Jade]

I didn't know what to do, so I did what was in my heart to do. I took him into my arms and held him. "We're going to find her and get her back, Captain. I know we are." I rocked him as I would a child. "It's going to be alright." I whispered.

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

"They lied to the people, they destroyed the Jedi...and now they will destroy us from the inside out. We will no longer be free under the Emperor, he's forsaken our loyalties and uses it against us in darker ways." Tears fell from my eyes. "He's broken me, but I'm not dead yet, Tony..." In a lower tone I whispered. "My own are coming for me...and when they do, you'll be freed too."

[Argos Ewan]

As she tried to comfort me I began to cry like I never had before. "Oh Gods this hurts. This dream was so real. It was like she was right in front of me and I could do nothing. Nothing Celeste. I was completely helpless to help her. Oh Gods! She died right in front of me!"

[Celeste Jade]

"It was a dream, Captain. That was all it was, a dream. You know she's stronger than that, even I know that. Quay'Na has a barrier within her that can't be broken. She won't take their poodoo for long. She's a fighter and soon she'll be back."

[Argos Ewan]

I leaned back into the edge of my bed and looked at her. "I know your right. These drugs are effecting me much more than I thought they would. They've made me very weak minded." I tried to smile at her the best I could. "However, I do need your help with something."

[Celeste Jade]

"Of course, whatever you need. What can I do?"

[Argos Ewan]

As I sat with my back against the side of the bed I raised my hands up in front of myself. The blanket was still wrapped around my arms and hands. I briskly moved my arms around in front of myself to free myself but couldn't. I gave up and I put my hands into my lap. "Will you please get me out of this mess?"

[Celeste Jade]

I giggled slightly as I scooted over and unwound the blanket from him. "There, better?" I asked as I scooted away.

[Argos Ewan]

As Celeste unbound me, my wrists began to move as I moved them around. "Ahhhh, now that is much better. Thank you very much." I took the blanket and threw it aside. "I don't think I'm going to be using that anytime soon. I don't need to have those dreams again. I think I'd rather stay awake then to deal with that."

[Celeste Jade]

"I wish there was something I could do to help you not dream." I told him. I knew that Quay was on his mind, my own mind was filled with thoughts of Aramis. I longed for him as much as my Captain longed for his wife. But, my happy ending would not come.

Sadness filled me as I thought of that. "If you don't need anything else, Captain...I need to go."

[Argos Ewan]

I raised my hand as I spoke to her. "No, please, go ahead. I'm sure I'll be fine now. Thank you very much for your help."

[Tony Maxwell]

He arched an eyebrow in the darkness, and then replied by hissing, "Shhhh!" He looked at the door, or where he remembered the door being. The walls all looked the same to him now. If there was a seam then the gloom blured it's edges and made it impossible to see from his place, "If they're listening to us, well, we don't want to tip them off," His depression was gone, just like that, and was replaced with cool headed effiency. He'd thrown off the shackles of pain and slipped the boots of Rebellion back on. He could feel energy dripping back into his body as he strained to listen to any reaction on the other side of the walls. All he heard was his own heart beating, "Do you know when this will happen?" He whispered into her ear, his warm breath tickling it as he spoke.

[Celeste Jade]

I bit my lip as I slowly stood up. "Ka-tumba." She said quietly. It meant 'we continue on' in Iskonian.

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

"Sala..." I said gently as my consciousness faded.

[Argos Ewan]

I stood up and felt groggy still from the drug and sat down on my bed as she walked out of my quarters. "That we do," I replied to her as she left.

As the drug now started to lull me into a need for sleep I sat down on the bed and lay down again. Quickly I slipped into sleep and slept comfortably and peacefully for many hours.

[Avalon Aquilo]

Jace and I spent hours together. We touched and loved each other as if time had no place for us. After many hours of love we both lay naked together as we embraced each other. As I laid next to him I felt so at peace with him. I looked into his now tired eyes as I caressed his shoulder as I moved my hands down his back and pulled him closer to me. “Jace, there is no doubt about how much you love me. I have never felt so...so whole. You make me feel so passionate and loved. I can’t see how my life could ever exist without you. I don’t want you to ever be out of my life. Would you ever leave me again?”

[Jace Keller]

"I would never leave you on purpose, death would be my only parting and I pray that time never comes." I told her as I kissed the top of her head and held her close.

[Celeste Jade]

I made my way back to my office and paced around a few times. My head was full of indecision and it was late. It was up to me and only me, I had to tell him my thoughts, my feelings and pray he felt the same.

With a deep breath, I headed back up towards the bridge and opened the door. Briskly, I strode in and straight up to Aramis. "Lieutenant, we need to talk." I said quickly before I lost my nerve.

[Avalon Aquilo]

I looked up to his face as he spoke to me. After he spoke to me I snuggled my head onto his chest as I put my arm over his waist as I sighed with so much relief. “My love, I want you to know I meant what I said earlier. I completely understand what you do and I know you have your reasons for doing what you do. I’ll always stand behind you in every way I can and support you. This I promise, but I also want you to understand something. I will not fear what you do. In this I know I must not fear. It is my understanding that causes me peace. I just want you to know that if you should ever have a need of me I am here for you and I will do anything for you. Anything you ask, always.”

[Aramis Rakai]

I heard the door slid open and figured it was Argos. To my surprise, it was Celeste. I stood up from my chair as she entered and crossed the bridge.

"Sure," I said as I leaned against the back of the chair and crossed my legs. "What's on your mind?" She stood just inches from me and the look on her face was rather intense.

"This is..." She said and before I knew it, she had me in her hold and her lips were against mine. I was completely taken off guard, but it was nice...

I pulled away a moment later...completely shocked it had even occurred, I cleared my throat and straightened. "Well, I uhh..." I rubbed the back of my neck as I felt my face get hot.

"I'm sorry..." She said as she looked away. "It's just...I love you..."

My eyes widened as I heard her. "Oh...I...didn't know that."

"Now, I feel stupid..." She said as she turned and began walking towards the door. "I never should have come."

I followed her and grabbed her by the arm. "No, wait!" I said. I turned her around and looked down into her deep blue eyes. "I am honored to know that you care for me deeply, but my heart is already set for another...but, I will always love you, Celeste. You are part of my family." I told her.

[Nawn Erdon]

I had slept for hours and needed to get something to eat. I always woke up hungry and today wasn’t any different. After I woke up I walked toward the galley.

[Celeste Jade]

His heart was already set for another...my heart broke as I heard those words. I nodded and didn't look into his eyes, those gorgeous eyes that I so fell for.

I couldn't even speak for fear of bursting into tears, I'd made a fool of myself! Quickly, before he could say anything else I turned and ran from the bridge. When out of sight, the tears clouded me as I headed for my bunkroom. I wanted to cry in peace and wallow in my pain.

[Aramis Rakai]

"Celeste!" I called after her, but she didn't stop. I sighed deeply as she ran out of sight and feared I really hurt her. Pursing my lips, I hit the button to close the door. I suddenly wished I'd handled it better, but it was too late now. I cursed as I flopped down in my chair.

[Nawn Erdon]

As I walked toward the galley I saw Celeste walking though the same hallway I was walking in. As she walked by me I looked up at her and she appeared upset. “Celeste. What is wrong? Can I help you?”

[Jace Keller]

"I will do the same for you, my heart is yours and only yours..." Suddenly, my stomach lurched and I broke out into a sweat. The withdraw hit me like a brick wall as I jumped up from her hold and just made it to the 'fresher. I was violently ill and I prayed it to stop and knew it was only to get worse.

I'd been in drug withdraw twice and alcohol withdraw only once and didn't make it through, I ended up right back on the liquid hell only a day after the withdraw hit.

[Celeste Jade]

I wanted to walk right by, without stopping but the beaded bracelet on my arm had other plans. I'd been pulling on it since I'd walked out of the bridge and it pulled apart spilling all the beads my mother had put on, all over the floor.

"Damn it!" I cried as I saw the beads go everywhich way. Through my tears I bent down and started picking up beads.

[Avalon Aquilo]

I watched as Jace quickly got up from the bed and went to the fresher. At first I didn't know what the problem was until I heard him getting sick. Immediately I knew what was going on and got up from the bed and went to a nearby closet and pulled out one of Jace's robes and put it on. I walked into the fresher and pulled out a wash rag and got it wet in the sink. I walked back out of the fresher and stood outside the door and waited for him to exit the fresher.

[Nawn Erdon]

I walked up to Celeste and saw she was now having a problem and I bent down to help her pick the beads up that she had lost from her wrist. "Oh my; here Celeste, let me help you." I looked at the colored beads as I picked them up. "It looks like this was once something that was very special to you. Did someone give it to you?"

[Jace Keller]

If the one thing I hated being sick...was being really sick and I was really sick. I don't know how long I was in the fresher, but when I finally emerged I was exhausted. My stomach was still rolling and the flight bumps weren't helping. I was hot and groaned as I leaned against the door.

"I hate being sick..." I said and closed my eyes for a moment.

[Celeste Jade]

I sat on my knees and sighed. "My mother gave them to me, they were from her mother." I said as I started to pick them up again. "They are very special to me." I wiped at the tears that spilled down my face and didn't look up. I didn't want him to know I was crying.

[Avalon Aquilo]

I looked at him and smiled and wiped his face with the cool damp rag. "I know love. I know, but don't give up. I'm here for you." I wiped the ragg across his forehead and down his cheeks.

"Look, I know this is going to put you through a lot, but I can help you. I know we're headed out for a mission and your going to need to be as alert as possible for it. I can help you with that. It won't last very long, about two days, but it'll get you by it until the mission is over. Then you'll have to finish drying out. I'll give you a shot of something that'll help you though the mission."

[Nawn Erdon]

As I helped her to pick up the beads a thought came to mind. "I'll tell you what, why don't we finish picking these up and I'll take you to the galley for something to eat. I just woke up and am starving. Afterwords we can put this back together again. It'll be just like new."

[Jace Keller]

"A shot? What flavor?" I asked with a sarcastic smile. "Let's get it before I throw up again." I said as I leaned on her for support. It was about then that I realized I didn't have any clothes on. "Maybe I should get dressed first."

[Celeste Jade]

Before I could even try to stop myself, I burst into tears.

[Avalon Aquilo]

I looked at him from head to toe as I smiled. "Actually, I like you just like you are....naked."

I walked past him and remoistened the rag again and went back to him and wiped his head again. "I'm sorry Jace, but I can't give you that shot just yet. If I gave it to you right now it would wear off by the time you went into the mission and that wouldn't be good at all. I'm sure you want to keep your wits about you during that time. So we're going to have to wait until we're about to hit the mission. I can only give you the shot once. After that a day must go by before I can give it to you again. It is pretty strong."

[Aramis Rakai]

I sat staring at the starlines and didn't feel that inner peace that I always felt when I was here. I felt tired and weary and longed to see Solani, just her presence lifted my spirit and I wondered if she felt the same as I.

I'd never seen Celeste in the same light as she saw me, she was always more of a sister to me and we'd only known each other for about a year. My father was wise to chose a Iskalonian doctor to come aboard and her expertise were excellent. I just didn't love her in the same light as she felt for me and for that I was sorry.

[Jace Keller]

My spirit sank as I listened to her. "So, I'm going to feel lousy...lovely." I went over to my bed and slipped in under the covers as I started to shiver from being cold and sweaty. "I think, I'm going to want to die in a few hours..."

[Avalon Aquilo]

I watched him go back to the bed as he whined about how he felt. I walked over to the bed and stood next to it. As I looked down at him I slowly dropped the robe from my body and stood naked before him and put my left knee on the mattress. "Well it's not that bad actually. How often do you ever hear of anyone dying with a true angel standing by thier side?"

[Jace Keller]

"You do have a point there..." I said as I touched her thigh. "I need to try and sleep..." I shook with shivers as I looked at her one last time before I closed my eyes.

[Avalon Aquilo]

As he touched me I could feel his hand shiver. I quickly lay down next to him and pulled him close to me to help calm him and keep him warm. "I'm right here love. Just sleep now. Everythings going to be fine."

[Jace Keller]

It felt good to have her there and I do think I slept some, but I was sick on and off the rest of the night. I sipped on water or sucked on ice to try to keep me hydrated, at times I shook with a vengence because I was ice cold or I'd sweat because I was dying of heat. It was a long night and I'm sure Avalon wasn't enjoying it much either.

[Celeste Jade]

I felt utterly stupid again for my outburst and quicky wiped my eyes. "I'm sorry, Nawn. Things just aren't going to great for me tonight."

[Avalon Aquilo]

As Jace was sleeping better I slipped out of bed and got dressed and went to the Medical Bay and got everything he needed to get him by for the mission coming up. I walked into our quarters just as he was waking up. I went to the bed and sat down next to him. "Well hello there. Glad to see your not doing so bad. I went down to the Medical Bay and got the hypo-spray for you. Are you ready for this?" As I asked the question I pulled the hypo-spray out and got it ready to use.

[Nawn Erdon]

As I looked around for more of the beads I couldn't see any more of them. I reached out and handed them to her. "Here are your beads. I'm sorry things aren't going very well for you. I would be more than happy to have you join me. I really like you Celeste. Every since you've come on board you have been more than a friend to me. I don't mean to offend you by saying that, but it is how I feel about you. You are a very sweet person and I'd like to get to know you better."

[Jace Keller]

I nodded and ran a hand through my messy hair. "Whenever you are, doc." I told her, it was the nickname I used to call her and decided it was time to use it again. I felt zapped.

[Avalon Aquilo]

I lifted the Hypo-spray and made an adjustment on it. "I'm going to give you this and it is going to take a few seconds for it to inject completely. I don't want your system to take this to quickly."

I walked over to him and held the hypo next to his arm. "After I inject this your going to feel a coldness in your arm. It'll last for just a few seconds and then it will warm up a little. Once you feel the warmth from it you should feel your stomach to settle down and won't feel so nauseated anymore and your mind will be clear. I think your going to like this. Don't forget, this will only last for a couple of days. After that I have to wait for one day before giving you another shot."

I placed the hypo against his arm and held the hypo against it as it slowly hissed. After five seconds went by I saw that the hypo had finally drained and I pulled it away from his arm. I threw the hypo onto the bed and quickly and gently rubbed his arm to help the drug to stimulate his body. "How are you feeling now?"

[Jace Keller]

It had gone in exactly as she had said. The nausia I had felt all night, was slowly going away. I thanked everything and anything around me for that. "I feel better." I said with a deep sigh of relief. "Too bad I can't use this stuff for the entire drying out period." I added gently. I was feeling much better and my energy was coming back as well.

[Gideon]

The room was dark, save for the very low light in the corner of it, an old candle, flickering in the artificial wind. Hunched over a desk, incense burning in a holder to the right, a shadowy figure sat, working on something. The flickering light revealed dark hair, styled strangely, the length of it hanging past a masculine yet fine face to the right side. The piercings in his face, the metal hanging from his lower lip, left eyebrow, and when visible, a barbell in his tongue, shining in the light. The light also revealed his arms, which were light-skinned, but darkened with tattoos that worked their way up his arms. Clutched in his hands, a dirty rag scoured against the black metal of an EE-3 Blaster Carbine. Finishing, the slender male sighs, before turning his head slightly at the sound of movement. Someone was running past. And then he heard sobbing. Gideon shook his head for a second, and then put down the rag. Cracking his right arm, he walks out of the room, the door creaking on it's hinges as he looks out.

In the light, it is clear that he is an elf, though not like the Inleshats or the subraces; he was elven, but lacked the gills of an Inleshat. Further, his ears were only slightly pointy versus the sharp angles of the Inleshat ear. Other than his build being slightly larger than that of the Inleshats, there were few differences.

The eyes flickered slightly red, registering the dark corners of the ship in a negative image, allowing him to see without real or artificial light, he notices two figures hunched, about thirty feet from him. One was Celeste, and she seemed visibly upset. The other was Nawn. While she was upset, Nawn seemed content to help her. Gideon nodded, and started toward them, but then stopped. Nawn seemed to have the situation under control....Gideon didn't know what to do. His heart wanted to help her, to make it alright, but the other part, the logical part, wanted to stay away. Too much complications. After a small battle, the heart won over, with only a rebuttal, as if saying that it wouldn't lead to complications.

Striding easily over the metal deck, Gideon got down, and grabbed a nearby piece of the necklace. He looked up at Celeste, and quietly offered it to her. He didn't know what to say, so he found something.

"Here."

[Tony Maxwell]

"Sala?" He asked and then before he knew it she was fading out, "Stay with me, Quay'Na," He got up on his knees and grasped her hand, Squeezing it gently, trying to keep her awake, "We have a long time to get to know each other... no time for sleeping," He desperately hoped she did not pass out. Because she might never wake up...

[Avalon Aquilo]

I leaned toward him and kissed him lightly. "Jace, I can keep you on this but for only two days at a time. Once the next day is over I can give you another one. During those days off the meds you'll find yourself needing it less and less. It's a time when you can judge if you still need it anymore or not."

[Celeste Jade]

Before I could answer Nawn another came up, I looked up to see Gideon hunch down to help. He handed me one of my beads. "Thanks, Gideon." I then added as I looked at Nawn. "Thank you both, for helping me." Still, even with their presence it didn't make my hurt go away. I felt like some stupid school girl, this wasn't how a Iskonian was supposed to act, especially one my age. I wiped my eyes and put the beads into my pocket as I scanned the area looking for anymore. I didn't see any and quickly stood.

"I'm afraid I wouldn't be much company, Nawn. Perhaps, another time." I told him with a slight put-on smile. With all the beads put away, I nodded towards Gideon and began walking towards my office again. How in the worlds was I ever going to face Aramis again? I wished the ship would swallow me up or something as I entered the Med Bay and went into my office. Slumping into my chair, I wiped at my eyes again knowing full well I still felt like crying.

"I'm an idiot!" I spat loudly as I covered my face with my hands.

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

The intense sound in his voice brought me back. "Sala means soon." I told him in a mere whisper, "it's Inleshat...my race."

It felt like needles were pricking my back and it knew it was from the whippings, I opened my eyes and once they adjusted to the darkness I could see his outline. "Days ago I wanted to die, now I want to survive with a vengence. They want me to cry and scream as they whip me...I will not give into their sick game, I don't care if they whip me until I die...I will not satisfy their evil need for satisfaction."

[Jace Keller]

"I will survive." I stated blankly. "You've given me my strength, even though at times it may not show. I know in my heart that we will survive." I took a hold of her hand and gave it a squeeze. "You are my strength, you always were."

[Avalon Aquilo]

I listened to Jace and his words warmed me and told me that somehow, everything I thought he ignored in me, he actually felt what I wanted him to know.

I slowly sat down next to him as tears of joy ran down my face. “Aw, Jace. For so long I have wanted you to know how much I wanted you. How much I wanted to be a part of your life and stand by your side.” As I sat next to him I leaned to my left and rested my head on his shoulder as I fumbled with his fingers as he held my hand. “I can’t tell you how you are touching my heart right now. It just feels like a flood emotions are taking me over and I don’t want to control it anymore.”

I began to cry like an emotional schoolgirl as I tried to continue. “You are everything I ever wished and dreamed of and wanted in my life. I would rather die than to be without you.” Everything I ever wanted to tell him was pouring from my lips and it flowed from the deepest depths of my soul. I put both of my hands to my face and cried even harder as I tried to speak to him. “I love you so much Jace.”

[Nawn Erdon]

Now puzzled, I looked up at Gideon as Celeste quickly left us standing there. I sighed as I held out my arms from my side. “What in the systems was that about?” I reached up with my heft hand and scratched my head. “Iskonian’s; who can understand them? I know I sure don’t.”

My stomach growled with hunger and I placed my hands onto my belly as if to silence it. "I was just about to get something to eat. Would you like to join me?"

[Argos Ewan]

What seemed like a century had passed. I slept like a rock and also woke up feeling like one. I stretched my arms and legs and they felt as if they would never move. I looked toward my chrono on my wristband and realized what time it was and what day. My Gods, I slept that long?! I thought with surprise to myself. “Lights.“ I called out the command and the lights went on in my quarters. We haven't much time. To little time. I must get to my preparations and get ready for this mission. I went to the fresher and quickly took as shower and got dressed.

I left my quarters and went to the armory and went through a few things looking over many of the devices I had stored on the Eclipse. As I opened a chest I found what I was looking for. It was a hand held nuclear device I had raided once before on an old weapons supply ship. I took the device and looked it over to make sure the timer was active and useful. Everything checked out and I strapped the device onto myself on a weapons strap I had concealed on the underside of my vestment. Once concealed, I pulled my vestment tight and took my hands and moved them from the top of the vestment to the bottom as I checked to see if it could be felt beneath my vestment.

After checking for the device, I walked over to a nearby strongbox and opened it. I pulled out a few explosive devices and put them into my vestment pocket to hold them for the mission. Now I am ready I thought to myself as I smiled.

I turned and walked out of the armory and went to the bridge to check on the ship’s status and position for the mission. As I walked toward the bridge I thought to myself, Quay’Na, we’re coming my love. Hold on to hope. We’ll be there soon, I promise.

[Gideon]

Gideon looked down at Nawn, watching him rub his stomach. Even without keen hearing, one could've heard the little Sullustan's growling stomach from what seemed like miles away. How could something so little growl so loudly. Smiling, Gideon spoke.

"I've never really understood Iskonians very much myself.....I mean, they, like the Inleshats, actually sleep. Regular elves don't sleep. We go through a trance, for four hours. It's the equivalent of eight hours of sleep...."

Shaking his head, Gideon continues.

"I've never really understood females of any species..."

At the thought of food, Gideon's stomach lurched. He was a little hungry as well. Gideon nods slightly, his hair waving slightly with his head.

"Yes. Food sounds good, Nawn."

As they walked toward the Mess Hall, Gideon couldn't help but give one backwards glance at the Medbay doors, closed. Behind the metal was Celeste. Part of Gideon wanted to inquire, find out more; about her, about what made her upset, whatever she wanted to talk about. He just wanted to talk to her. But that wasn't logical; he would get attached, and in his line of work, that just wasn't prudent. Exhaling just a little harder than a normal breath, Gideon continues walking the logical path, to the Mess Hall, where a more basic need for food would be fulfilled.

[Grand Moff Hiern]

I walked into the cell corridor of the Lynx and walked up to cell 763B. I stood in front of the door and took my gloves off one finger at a time as I waited for the guards to open the door. "Be quick with you. I am so anxious to play today." I leaned toward the door and listened closely and heard nothing. "Wake up you pointed ear witch. It's time to play again!"

The guards laughed as they opened the door for me and stood beside the doorway as they looked at me. "Well don't just stand there. Get her out of there. Bring her into the light." I stepped away from the door and held my nose for the stinch of dried blood repulsed me so as they drug her out. "Well hello there witch. Are you ready to play yet?"

[Nawn Erdon]

As I walked with Gideon I began to smell the fragrance of something familiar coming from the galley. "Mmmmmm, I do believe Tiny is doing it again." I looked over at Gideon and smiled as I licked my lips. "Wambat soup, there isn't anything in any system like it. I knew he was working on something special for me, but I never knew he had even found them for the soup. He must have picked some up on Bespin."

As the aroma got stronger my step falls got faster.

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

I faintly heard footsteps and the iron gate open with a metal clash. My body was jolted awake as rough hands gripped under my arms and hauled me to my feet. "Noo..." I whispered as I heard his voice, it was a voice and image I'd never forget.

I barely opened my eyes as I was basically drug from the cell to face the man I loathed. I hadn't the strength to stand as I heard him speak to me as if I were dirt. I looked at him, my eyes slits filled with resentment of this monster. "Tumra sayas elgara poco na eiachli." *You will not break my spirit*.

A moment later, I spat in his face.

[Jace Keller]

I hated to see her cry, but I knew it wasn't sad tears, they were happy tears and I put my arm around her. "Thoughts of you were sometimes the only thing that kept me moving, Avalon. Not seeing you again, killed my spirit and I never want to feel that again. I'm sorry, I've been such an idiot about this whole thing. We should have talked it out, I just thought I was holding you back."

[Grand Moff Hiern]

As this piece of trash spat in my face I took my gloves and slashed them across her face and then used them to wipe the spittle from my cheek. “You know, I don’t like how you talk to me.” I swiftly took my right hand and thrust it up under her chin and tightly gripped her lower jaw and squeezed it. As I did her mouth came open and I looked into it. “You know, I don’t like your tongue at all. How about we just remove it and be done with your witches mouth.” I harshly removed my hand from her as I thrusted her head sideways.

“Today is going to be different though," I said as I remained calm. "I think it is time that we begin to get along with each other.”

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

"And just why would I want to do that?" I asked vemently once the sting eased off. "You've given me no reason to be nice, you've taken away everything I know...and have given me nothing."

I coughed and looked at him. "I would rather die with honor, than give you the satisfaction of my cooperation. One day, Grand Moff...you will see your end and you will have no honor."

[Grand Moff Hiern]

“Haha, I don’t think so. Who would do it...you? I don’t believe you could. At least not without dying in the process I’m sure.” I turned away from her and waved my hand in the air. “Enough of this dribble.”

I looked toward the guards. “Take her away and clean her up. She stinks and I grow tired of seeing her this way. Take her and scrub her clean and then bring her to me in my interrogation room. While you are at it, get rid of those ragged clothes she has on and put her in a fresh robe,” I said as I smiled at the guards. “This time be nice to her.”

The guards gripped her tightly and took her away as I went to the interrogation room and waited for her return.

[Avalon Aquilo]

I looked up at him as I shook my head. “You never held me back from anything Jace. It doesn’t matter now though......does it? I mean, we’re going to be together from now on....right? Your not going to send me away are you?”

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

I grunted as I was taken away, the light hurt my eyes and it was hard to see where I was going. I was taken to some large room, where they stripped me and put me into a large bath of warm water. I was weak from lack of food and water and could barely keep myself sitting up, my body when through the changes of my race. I felt the gills opening on my neck and back and my forearm and calf fins appeared shortly after. The webbing between my fingers and toes formed as well.

But, burning stings on my back made me nearly cry out as they washed me. I held it in as they continued to clean my hair and wash me down. The pain was horrendous and at some point I finally blacked out. When I awakened I was no longer in the bath, instead I was lying on some kind of sleep couch on my stomach as my captors cleaned the whip marks on my back. It hurt like hell.

My eyes watered as they finally finished and put a dressing on, it was about then that I realized I was still naked. My body had changed back after being dried and part of me didn't even care, another part wanted to wrap up.

"Come, wench..." I heard on of them say as he nearly yanked me up.

"Hey, we were told to be nice." The other stated.

"We are, we're not beating her are we?"

The one shrugged as he toweled my hair and placed a robe around me, covering me completely. A moment later, two females entered and began messing with my hair. It wasn't long before my once long dirty locks were clean and dry. I looked in the mirror, my face was bruised and cut and I had lost a considerable amount of weight. I didn't even recognize myself, I was pale and sickly and my eyes had lost their gleam. I looked dead. Perhaps, I was and just didn't know it. Perhaps, this was hell for all my sins I had committed over the years.

I was roughly taken in the arms of one of my captors and taken back into the corridor. He took me back...to him.

[Grand Moff Hiern]

As they brought her in I pointed at a nearby chair. “Put her in that chair.” As they put her into the chair I walked in front of her behind a table that had been placed in front of the chair about eight feet from it. When they finished I walked over to her and looked her over. “Well it seems that you clean up quite nicely.” I took her hair into my hand and pulled it up to smell it and feel the softness of it. “Ummmm now that is nice. I like that.”

I walked away from her and went back behind the table and sat a plate upon the table. Once I did this I looked at her and smiled. “I believe it is lunch time.” I took a sandwich out and unwrapped it and took a breath of the fresh bread that was with the small meal. “Do you believe it is lunch time?”

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

I wanted to jerk away as he touched me, but remained calm. I stared at him as he sat across from me and began amusing himself by my starvation. I wouldn't break. My stomach growled at the sight of food and drink. "I wouldn't know." I answered smuggly. I hope you choke...

I eyes pierced him as he sniffed the bread, he would get no reaction out of me.

[Grand Moff Hiern]

I shook my head as I held up the sandwich. "Oh come now. It's a simple question. Is it lunch time? If it is, then you can have this. If it isn't then you can't. We don't eat sandwiches for breakfast now do we?" I asked the question one more time. "So, is it lunch time?"

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

"And how do I know that you've not poisoned or laced it? If I say it's lunch are you willing to take a bite?" I asked as I raised an eyebrow.

[Gideon]

The smell actually did smell quite good, even though the food wasn't for the typical elven palate. After all, Gideon had eaten far worse..... Gideon looks to the Sullustan.

"Must've been difficult getting wombats. They aren't native to many systems."

Thinking of the mission that could happen very shortly, maybe wombat soup wasn't a good idea for a field operative....Gideon went through an inner pocket in the vest of his black flightsuit, and found a field ration bar. He tore into the shiny wrapper, and took a bite.

"Huh....banana-beef. Who comes up with these combinations?"

He then pulls out another bar, and offers it to the Sullustan.

[Grand Moff Hiern]

I lowered the sandwhich and frown at her. "Now look, why would I do that? Didn't I say I wanted to be nice to you? How can I be nice to you if your poisoned?" I picked the sandwich back up and took a bite from it and chewed and swallowed it. "Now, is it lunch time or not?"

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

My trust was still not won, but my stomach was having a hard time dealing with it. I gave into it. "Yes, it's lunch time." I answered back, wondering if he were really going to allow me to have the food.

[Nawn Erdon]

"No thank you. I think I'll stay with the soup. I love this stuff and Tiny cook it perfectly." I took another spoonful and slurped it as I took it in. I wiped my lips with a cloth and smiled at Gideon. "I know these are farmed on many systems, but are better caught in the wild. Especially around mating season."

[Grand Moff Hiern]

I walked around the table and sat the sandwich down on the small table in front of her along with a glass of water.” There, see not so bad now am I?”

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

The items were placed before me as I thuoght of how long it had been since I'd last eaten. Water was given occasionally, but not near enough. I went for the water first and drank half the glass, then picked up the sandwich and began ripping into it. Manners were not an option for someone who was starving. It was gone in a few minutes and then I finished the water. Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I looked up at him.

"So, what do you want?" I asked.

[Gideon]

Gideon nods.

"Yeah. The wild meat always tastes better. No fillers or sythetic proteins. Less preservatives. Just natural meat, the way nature and the Force intended it."

He takes a bite of the ration bar, chewing it and tasting it with a practiced tongue. The barbell never even touches the teeth or food. Swallowing the contents of his mouth, he takes a sip off of a bottle of mineral water.

"So, have you heard anything more of the mission? Like the plan?"

[Grand Moff Hiern]

After she finished eating, I went back behind the table and pressed a button and metal clamps came up and lashed down her ankles and wrists. "Like I told you before. There was nothing in the sandwich and I didn't lie to you about that. Now the water is a different story. Oh, don't worry it won't kill you but it will nauseate you quite a bit and you will get quite sick." I walked out from behind the table and walked on past her. "I will return in a couple of hours and we will talk some more after they have cleaned you up." I walked on out of the room and shut the door behind me.

[Nawn Erdon]

"No thank you I responded." I took up my last spoonful of the soup and wiped my lips again. "Um, yeah. The Lieutenant, Captain and myself will be briefing everyone in the next few hours. Until then nothing is being said about it. It kind of holds down the speculation when everyone hears it at the same time."

[Gideon]

Gideon nodded slightly as he took another sip of the water.

"Hmm, chain of command. Understood."

Stretching slightly, Gideon stood up, and spoke once more.

"I'm going to get some quiet time before the briefing. Thanks for the lunch, big guy."

Giving Nawn a slight salute and a small smile, Gideon turns and exits the Mess Hall.

Walking quietly down the metal hallway, his footfalls resounding on the floor, Gideon stops at his door. The Medbay was there, just in his view. Should he...? Again, another battle of logic. He wasn't really fatigued. Just needed some quiet time. And maybe speaking to Celeste could give Gideon that quiet time. Gideon walks down to the door, each step becoming harder and harder to take. The rational, logical side was twittering in his head, but his heart told him to go. And finally, he was at the door. Waiting for one second, he sighs.....

.....and knocks on the door.

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

Oh Gods, noooo!! My mind screamed as I struggled to get my wrists free. If I could do that, I could get rid of everything I ate...

"Let me out!" I screamed as I struggled to get free...but, I was far to weak to do much good. My stomach suddenly lurched. Oohh, God...

I started to panick and pant as the first heave hit me. I projectiled all the over table and it hurt like hell and what was worse was I coudn't stop. I barely had time to breath, between heaves. I don't know how long I was violently ill, but when it finally ended...my strength was gone. My reserves of energy were depleted and my head hung forward resting on my chest. Vomit was stained on my robes, my eyes watered and my nose ran and I didn't even care. Why were they doing this? Why didn't they just kill me and get it over with?

I barely heard the door open, and a moment later the bounds that were around my ankles and wrists were gone. I was roughly lifted out of my seat and tossed aside.

Again, my clothes were removed and I was cleaned up, my eyes stayed closed for I had no more energy. Another moment later, I was put in a fresh tunic and pants and layed on the floor, my captors cleaned up the mess by the sound of water slooshing around and walked out. They left me there on the floor, knowing full well that any chance of me trying to escape at this point was impossible. I was much to weak and still rather ill-feeling.

[Grand Moff Hiern]

Hours after she had been cleaned up, I walked back into the room and saw the witch laying on the floor. As I walked by her I pushed her with my foot to make sure she was still alive. As she moved I sat a glass of water down next to her. “I did not lie to you before about the sandwich and you can believe me now when I say this is alright to drink and I would drink it now and slowly if I were you.”

I walked away from her and went back to the table and waited for her to sip on the water.

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

I looked at the water and closed my eyes again. "I'd rather die..." I refused to touch the water.

[Grand Moff Hiern]

I leaned back and rested my back against the table and looked at her. "That is up to you, but if you don't drink that your going to find that your going to get even more sick than you have already. You can either drink that or I will have them come in here and wet line you to feed it to you. You must understand, I don't want you dead. So what is it to be?"

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

More sick? Was that even possible? Afterall, I'd already barfed up my entire insides. I was sure there was not a whole lot left in me to even try to drink. "You first..." I said as I barely opened my eyes. I wasn't going to fall for that again by any means.

"Why am I worth so much to you to keep me alive? I'm a pirate...nothing more..."