Quay's Rescue Part II (The Attack)

[Jace Keller]

I gave her an incredules look as she said something about an alcohol addiction? "Ummm, no can do, Miss Doc. I'm not going to quit drinking for you or anyone else." My voice was a bit irritated. "Bah!"

I crossed my arms in front of myself and leaned back against the pillows.

[Avalon Aquilo]

"Miss Doc huh," I said in a repulsed voice as I pushed him down into his bed as I threw a blanket over him. "Go ahead, drink your heart out and when your lungs begin hurting you like you have never hurt before, don't come crying to me."

I turned and walked away from him as I threw my hands into the air. "Go ahead! Like I shouldn't even care!"

[Jace Keller]

"Good riddience!" I said loud enough for her and everyone in the room to hear. I shook my head slightly as I slowly laid down and closed my eyes.

[Avalon Aquilo]

I heard his words and it struck a nerve in me. I turned back to him and walked to the head of his bed. "You know, I've not been in this Medbay very long but in the short time I have been here I believe this area looks like a mess." I reached over and pressed one of the bed control buttons and a compartment opened at he head of the bed and the bed began sliding into the compartment with Jace on it. The compartment closed when the bed was within the wall.

"There, there is noting like removing the trash," I said as I smiled. "Doing this type of work usually doesn't pay much but the rewards from doing such a satisfying job says everything and I feel much better with the better fragrance around here."

[Jace Keller]

I didn't like confined spaces and this was more than confined. Images darkened my soul as my mind took me to other places, other hells.

"Dodya, I...I didn't know! He's my brother!" My voice screamed as the door to the small mop closet closed, leaving me in darkness.
"You will not defy me! Jericho will pay for his misdoings and so will you!" I heard him scream.
"Dodya, please let me out! Please!" I screamed as my breath caught in my throat. It had been a practical joke, only the outcome had been as we'd planned...someone nearly died.
"You will stay there until you understand the meaning of what you've done! As for your brother, when he returns...he will get the beating of a lifetime!"

I couldn't breathe as I heard my father no longer.

That confined space had been my prison for over a day and it was a feeling I'd never been able to shake. Even though, it had been well over a hundred years ago.

In the darkness, my heart began raging as I broke out in a sweat. "Let me out!! NOW!!" My voice was on the verge of a meltdown as I began kicking the door with my feet. It wouldn't give and the seconds seemed like hours as my chest tightened.

I couldn't sit up, I was in a small box...a coffin. "Get me out, let me out!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. I was going crazy, beating on the door as I was drenched with sweat. I tried to get my breath, but was suffocating as I hyperventilated. I couldn't even get my breath to yell and my head was swimming. I was in a total panic attack and could do nothing to stop it, I shook as my body went through agony, I was alone, in darkness and felt as if I were dying.

[Avalon Aquilo]

Knowing he was getting upset with me didn’t bother me at this point. After all I didn’t much care for how he was talking to me. Especially since he was not breaking my heart again after everything we had said to each other and had finally got our love together in our lives. It was something I always wanted in my life and now I couldn’t help but to feel I had now lost him, and the pain was killing me inside.

I reached over and pressed the button to open his bed. “Well maybe this will show you how shut out I feel right now because of you. But then I suppose you still have no idea what I mean by that.”

[Jace Keller]

I was on the verge of passing out and heard nothing of what she was saying as light blinded me, when she opened the coffin I was in. I struggled for air still and quickly rolled off the bed and hit the floor, knocking what wind I had in me out. My vision swam as I attempted to gasp for air and could get nothing.

[Avalon Aquilo]

As Jace feel to the floor I felt so badly about what I had done. I quickly knelt beside him and took him into my arms. “Oh Jace, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I’m so sorry.” I could see he was having a hard time breathing as I pulled his body away from mine to let him breathe clearly. “my love, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I feel so terrible.” As I held onto him the tears welled up in my eyes.

What have I done? How could he ever love me now or even know that I did this only out of love and fear of losing him once again?

[Jace Keller]

I had to tell my body to relax. A warmth washed over me and slowly things started coming back to my mind. My breathing where it had been raged, was slowing and my lungs were finally able to get some much needed air. The sweat dripped from my hair as I rolled over onto my back.

I slowly closed my eyes to relax a bit more as my hearing began to return, I didn't say a word as I lay there.

[Avalon Aquilo]

As I held onto him, I saw he was now able to breathe better. As I held onto him I gently stood up to help him get back into bed as Afwa came to my aid to assist me. “Here, let us help you get back into bed.”

[Afwa Dohren]

As I saw the commotion with Jace I quickly went to Avalon's aid and helped her get Jace back in bed. "There, is everything alright? What happened? Did his bed malfunction?"

[Avalon Aquilo]

As I was about to cry, I put my right hand to my mouth to hold back the tears. “Oh there was a malfunction alright, but it wasn’t his bed.” As the tears began to over whelm me I quickly went to the office and shut the door behind me.

[Jace Keller]

I wasn't too sure I wanted back in bed, but went there anyway. Afwa walked up and I frowned. "Yeah, some malfunction. You need someone to get to work on this thing." I finally answered as I looked at Avalon. The woman had some spunk in her, that was a definite. Avalon walked off before I had a chance to speak. But, it didn't matter anyway, I really didn't have much to say to her at this point.

[Gideon]

When Argos came to talk to Aramis, I nodded quietly, and took up the tools in my left hand, and began to work. A few short twists, a snip here and there, and then to replace the power cell. And my arm hummed slightly, and then began to move as I ran it through the diagnostics. Aramis was fast. And he was quite good at the mechanics. It was done.

I began to work on placing the prosthetic skin, slowly plastering it to my cybernetic right arm.

[Aramis Rakai]

It didn't take me long to help Gideon with his arm and soon he was putting on the skin. We worked in mostly silence, except when talking about some of his circuitry.

"Well, since we're done here, I need to get started working on the generators to get us some power for Celeste's surgery." I told him as I put the crutches under my arms and began to slowly make my way towards the door. I was starting to get tired and knew that sleep was a far off subject, I had too much work to do at this point.

[Avalon Aquilo]

I pulled myself together and finally got the strength to face Jace again. I walked out of the office and went to Jace’s bed to check on him. “I wanted to check to see how your doing right now. Are you alright,” I softly asked him as I placed my hand onto his shoulder and lightly squeezed it to comfort him..

[Gideon]

I nodded to Aramis, just before he left.

"Thanks for everything, man."

When he left, I waited a minute or two, sitting in the absolute silence of the shop. Then, weary from the battle and from the wreck, I was ready for sleep. I wanted to help Celeste, but there was very little that I could do in the condition I was in. I was tired, probably still in shock from being shocked, and just got my arm back together. It took a bit out of me. Sighing at the futility, I got up and made my way back to my room.

Once there, I moved around the furniture, and refastened the panelling. It took the better part of thirty minutes to get my room back in order. With that done, that was one less thing to finish. And with the debris cleared from my bed, I could now sleep. I laid down, and turned over, facing the cold wall and fell asleep almost instantly. I was swallowed in darkness.

[Argos Ewan]

Over time everything that had occurred began to take it’s toll on me. I went to my quarters and took off my vestment and dropped it to the floor and got into bed. As my head hit the pillow visions of the past day began to creep into my mind. As I lay in the bed I forced myself to sleep. After many times of tossing and turning in the bed sleep overtook me.

I stood before the Grand Moff as I looked at the blood on my hands. “Ahh yes, it was caused by you and now your going to fear everything around you for as long as you live. I hope you can find some way of finding peace with yourself for what you have done.” He laughed loudly as he pointed at the deck in front of me. “She is the only thing you wanted and now she is gone.”

I looked down at the deck and saw Quay’Na laying dead on the deck with blood pouring from her body and onto the deck. I looked at the Grand Moff in disbelief. “I didn’t do this. It was you who did this.”

“Ahhh, but the blood is on your hands, not mine. You left her here with me and now your going to blame me,” the Moff mockingly asked me.

I looked at Quay’Na once again as she sat on the deck while holding a baby in her arms as she began speaking to me. “He is your child. Please help me to raise our child and love him.”

In disbelief I shook my head and reached toward her with shaking bloody hands. “I do Quay’Na and I love you. Please, please don’t leave me.” I fell to my knees as I begged her as I stretched out my arms to reach her. “I...I can’t reach you. Come back to me!”

She slightly shook her head. “I’m already there.”

As I watched, her body melted into dust and fell into the deck as the Moff laughed mockingly at me. “NOOOOOOOOOO!” As I awakened, I leapt from the bed in horror and ran to my cabin door. I hit the door and grabbed its opening, throwing it open I ran from our quarters. I ran across the passageway and hit the opposite wall and slid down it with the full force of my run. I swiftly fell to the deck and tried to gather my senses of what had just happened.

[Jace Keller]

I flinched slightly as she touched me, I'd been sleeping for just a bit. I looked at her and yawned. "I'm fine, thanks for asking." I said, my voice was still full of sleep.

[Avalon Aquilo]

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to disturb you,” I mildly and calmly said to him. I looked at him and noticed his voice and reactions had improved. “If you like I will leave you alone,” I said as I straitened his blanket slightly to comfort him and began to turn away from him.

[Jace Keller]

"Look, Avalon I..." I didn't any further than that.

About that time, I heard Argos' voice scream 'no' and then I heard a thump outside the Medbay.

I winced and quickly threw back my covers and got to my feet, my head swooned for a moment as Avalon came to steady me, but I escaped her reach and headed past the array of medical beds and out the door.

I found my brother down the corridor across from his room, sitting on the floor looking more confused than myself.

I hunched down by him. "Hey, bro are you alright?" I asked gently.

[Argos Ewan]

"I.......I don't know," I replied as my body wouldn't stop shaking. I looked down at my hands and saw no blood upon them but yet everything seemed so terrifying, so real to me. I reached up and crabbed Jace by the shoulders and pulled him near me. "My wife, she's dead, Jace!" I looked into his eyes as tears ran down my face as I shook my head. "I couldn't help her, Oh Gods!"

I looked at my surroundings and it scared me even more. "Where......why am I here?" I looked closely at the deck for signs of her. "Jace, she's gone!"

I looked around once more and realized it was just a dream. "Oh Gods Jace. I'm sorry, but it just seemed so real. It was just a dream though. I've never dreamed like that before. It seemed sooooooooo real. Gods it was so terrifying Jace."

[Gideon]

I breathed easily, exhaustion taking me over. I had no dreams. It was just dark, and restful. And then the dreams came.

I was on a surreal landscape, it was hazy, but vivid and colorful. I heard an echo of the explosion, and I knew where I was. I was on the ground, my severed arm in a pile of rubble next to me. My REAL arm. This was my memory. I remember dragging myself away, feeling invigorated, and picking myself up, and walking away. I did so. When I stopped, and felt the endorphins drop, and the adrenaline wash from my system, shock took over. I instanly felt cold, and shook, losing my footing, and falling on my right side, where a piece of rock behind some of the undergrowth pierced my carturized mess of a shoulder where my right arm should've been. The blood instantly flowed. And the scenery blurred, and when I thought it was over, a flash of light burned my eyes. I felt myself fade.

And then I heard a voice.

It was distant at first, but with each passing second, it became stronger, and echoed in my aching head. It was clearly feminine, and carried the most musical quality to it. It was simply beautiful. And when my eyes focused, it was her.

Celeste.

But how? Was she? And more memories, not memories of this time, but modern memories, flooded me. She was paralysed. But not here. Here, she was young, maybe in her fourties.....and she was standing over me.....I was missing my arm. The right arm wasn't yet robotic, and the wound was fresh. She was changing my bandages....

And it hit me. She was the one! She was the one who drug me away, who nursed me back to health when I lost my arm. She did this, thinking I was a supporter of the Old Republic, a friend to the Jedi. She was glad that I was helping. I was the beginning of the Rebellion against the Empire. She didn't know.....the armor and weapons were slagged, gone, left in the blast zone......

She didn't know that I was a member of the Imperial Death Squads that had responded not too long ago to Order 66, to turn on our Jedi leaders, to destroy them. She didn't know that I had helped to eliminate top members in the Jedi Order......

And she still didn't know that she helped me. A butcher, a killer, a murderer of lives, innocent and peaceful in their attempt to enlighten themselves with the Light Side of the Force......

She had to know.

This thought echoed heavily in my head as I awakened. I straightened myself out, and tugged on my wrinkled, black jump suit. I took the armor off, setting it next to my helmet. I began to clean the armor, wiping the blood off of it. During this, I debated, fighting myself in telling her. She had enough problems. This would only add to them.....but it was unfair to keep this from her. What kind of life could she have with a liar, or worse, a murderer? A former fighter of the Empire?

I sighed, locking away the armor in my weapons and armory storage panel. I pulled out a case, and procured a series of needles, laser equipment, and some ink. I began to slowly and meticulously etch the tattoos from memory, each piece coming back to me. Another thing I was good at. Inking. Tattooing. I continued the art, scrawling across the faux-skin, the sythesized, prosthetic covering, battling with myself.

What would I do?

[Jace Keller]

"She's fine, bro. She's in the medical center, just as she was. Nothing has changed." I told him as I took his hand and helped him to his feet.

[Argos Ewan]

I slightly smiled at my brother as he helped me up. "Well it's not that I don't believe you, but this has really shaken me beyond belief. I'm going to go and see her." I looked strangely at him as he walked to the Medbay with me. "How are you doing? I'm surprised to see you up and about."

[Jace Keller]

"Well, I'll be fine...just a slight headache, a few aches and pains, but other than that I'm fine." I answered as I led him to the medbay.

[Argos Ewan]

I walked onto the Medbay and walked over to Quay’Na and looked at her. “I am really worried about her Jace. I don’t know how I could do without her. Especially now that she has finally told me that Aramis is really my child.” I looked at Jace and smiled. "And that makes you an Uncle, his Uncle."

[Avalon Aquilo]

I overheard what Argos said as I walked by them. Happy to hear his words I came up behind Jace and placed my head on his shoulder and looked at Argos as I put my arms around Jace. “Well if things work out that would make me an Aunt wouldn’t it,” I asked as I smiled at Argos.

[Jace Keller]

My eyes widened in disbelief as I heard Argos. I frowned as Avalon put her arms around me, I wished she'd quit hanging on me. Doing this was not helping me or her.

I genty pushed her arms down, so they weren't around me and stepped closer to my brother in a non-chalant way. "What? Did I just hear you right? Aramis is your son?" I asked paying more attention to him than anything.

[Argos Ewan]

“Yes you did. It was something that came to light earlier when she became conscious. It does answer many questions I’ve had and felt for some time now. I do know that when she awakens we’re going to have to discuss this more in depth but for now the truth is known once and for all.”

I lowered my head as I continued. “I wouldn’t say to much to Aramis about it just yet though. He’s having a hard time dealing with it because of what he’d come to believe of his past from his mother. I’m sure you can understand why. Even you and he had spoke together of his past or what knew of his past from what he thought it to be I'm sure.”

[Avalon Aquilo]

As Jace push me away I realized that I had made a mistake even though it felt so right to me. I was now having a hard time trying to adjust to not having him close to me and I missed it badly.

[Aramis Rakai]

I blew out a breath of air as I worked on one of the generators in the engine room beneath the bridge. It was hell trying to get down here and I was sure getting back up that dreaded ladder was not going to be much more fun.

"Maybe I'll just stay down here." I said out loud as I worked more on the rewiring, the ion blast really did its damage to our systems and I had a lot of scorching to clean up.

This may take all night. I thought mildly as I knew the other three generators had to look the same way and the main power generator...I didn't even want to look at.

But, being down here, kept me from up there and things going on up there that I wanted no part of at this time. Argos could go on and on about my mother and how she needed to be forgiven...I just didn't see it that way.

[Gideon]

I etched the final piece on the right arm, the symbols etching onto the prosthetic skin. A little ink to color it in, and I was done. I admired my handy work. It was exactly as it was before I lost the right robotic arm. And finally, after a conflict within, I had decided what to do. I couldn't lie to her. I would ask her if she wanted some information about me. If she said yes, then I would endulge, and probably repulse her. If she said no, then I would wait until after the surgery.

If she made it.....

Sighing, preparing myself slowly, I stood and stripped down, walking into the connected bathroom, where I showered. After a nice, steamy shower, and cleaning out my various piercings, I dressed back in a clean, black flight suit, and styled my hair. Within ten minutes, I was done, and I walked out of my quarters, and walked down the hall.

The medbay was open and busy as I walked in. Several people were there. Argos, Quay'na was unconscious, the other prisoner was in and out of consciousness, Avalon, and Jace, whom, to my knowledge, didn't have much of his knowledge remaining. A blow to the head. It brought back memories of when Gideon helped Jace get off of drugs. I smiled slightly, but the smile faded as I thought about what I was about to do.

I walked over to Celeste's bed, and caressed her skin. Maybe she would awaken soon....

[Jace Keller]

I nodded towards my brother. "Understandable." I answered quietly. It was strange how some things, I did remember while other things that I should remember were cast out of my mind.

I turned and looked at Avalon. "Look, I'm not feeling too bad now, can I go for a bit and help out?"

[Celeste Jade]

It was as if I were coming out of a dream, but it turned cold and my heart felt somewhat heavy as I opened my eyes and heard the all too familiar blip.

I was feverish, and could tell my temp was elevated. I shook my head slightly as I looked up at Gideon. He was here.

"I thought I was dreaming." I said lightly. "I guess...I'm not."

[Avalon Aquilo]

Reluctantly I nodded my head as I sighed. “There is nothing more I can do for you. I guess in time things will come back to you.” I walked away from him and went to Tony after asking Afwa to help me.

Together, Afwa helped me put Tony in the bed. Once there I examined him and saw he was in need of Meds to help him recover from his wounds. What in the world could he have been through to cause such damage to him, I wondered.

[Gideon]

I nodded slightly, taking in the beauty of her. She was gorgeous, even though she was a little worse for the wear. She was alive, breathing. I wasn't identifying a corpse. It made her even more beautiful in my eyes.

"Hey, sleeping beauty. I've been doing some thinking, and some inking..."

I pointed to my new, copied-from-memory tattoos.

"I copied it from memory. It's exactly the same......Anyway, I have some information that you might be interested in. It is about my past.....If you want, I can tell you now, or let you get some more rest, and tell you later. But I will warn you, it may change the light that you see me in....And most likely, not in a better light."

[Argos Ewan]

As Jace stood by my side by Quay’Na I looked over to Afwa. “Afwa, please come here.” I waited until he came over by Jace and myself. “I’m going to go out and check on the condition of the ship.” I held up my com-link and showed it to Afwa so he would know I had it. “If you should happen to notice any changes in Quay’Na while helping Avalon, please let me know immediately.”

"Aye Captain," he replied. "Will do."

I looked over to Jace, “I still have much to discuss with her should she awaken again. Hopefully she‘ll shed more light about Aramis with me. There are many questions I have for her.”

Suddenly the lights flickered slightly over my head as I looked up at them. “Well it looks like my son is getting the power up after all. It shouldn’t be long now.”

I looked back at Jace as I pulled my vestment closer around my neck. “I’m going to go out and inspect the ship and bring Nawn with me too. Would you like to join us? I’m sure you see some things I don’t. After all, this used to be your ship. That was until you lost it in the Gibish game to me.”

[Jace Keller]

That was one thing I did remember. "Hmmm, only because you wanted two out of three. I would have still had her, if I hadn't agree." I told him. "I won the first one, if you'll remember, so I guess my memory isn't all gone."

I slipped on my boots and my bomber jacket. "Sure, I'm up to it. Let's go."

[Argos Ewan]

With Jace in tow, we went down and got Nawn and went outside the ship.

I looked around the ship the best I could with the rain lightly coming down. As I finished I took the time and looked around at the surrounding environment. I saw where Aramis had brought the Eclipse in and saw it was a miracle he even got the ship landed as well as he managed to. From where I stood it was about the only open area around.

Jace and Nawn came around the ship and walked up to me together. “She doesn’t look that bad. I think Aramis did about everything he could to get her landed. We do have much to do. The nose is somewhat buried and it’s hard to tell what damage has been done though. We’re going to have our work cut out for us if the hydraulics in the landing gear doesn’t work very well. If the propulsion system works we should be able to do a vertical lift to launch her. We are going to have to come up with and find the fuel cells that were ejected. Hopefully at least one of them is still intact. If not then we‘ll be in a fix.”

I looked toward the bridge and saw the lights still flickering through the bridge windows. "It looks like Aramis is atill working on the power generators. Well at least we'll have some power soon. That's a start."

[Nawn Erdon]

I examined the surroundings of the ship and went to report my findings to the Captain. I found him talking to Jace as I came around to the nose of the ship. “Captain, I’ve looked around the Eclipse and there are some shield plating that is going to be in need of repair on the aft side of the ship.”

I thought for a brief moment and looked at Jace. “Doesn’t Gideon do some shot wielding? If he does then he could do this to the shielding quite easily. It would take some time though I’m sure, if he can do it. Either way, the wielding will have to be precise or else we could vent our atmosphere and I do like breathing.”

[Jace Keller]

"I think, over all Aramis did a really good job of landing her." I said. "His quick thinking of ejecting the fuel cells, kept us from becoming a fireball."

I looked at Nawn and nodded. "Yes, I think Gideon would do an excellent job on the weilding."

[Argos Ewan]

As I walked through the marshy grass I ran my right hand over the hull of the ship. “Your going to be just fine old lady of the stars. We’ll have you running soon, I hope.”

I turned away from the Eclipse and looked at Nawn and Jace. “Well, with the ship pointed in the direction it is setting right now, the fuel cells can only be behind the ship somewhere. We’re going to have to form a scouting party to find them.” I lifted my right foot and sloshed though the mud beneath my foot. “Hunting though this muck should prove interesting to say the least and is going to take some time to be sure.”

[Celeste Jade]

I nodded slightly, taking in the beauty of her. She was gorgeous, even though she was a little worse for the wear. She was alive, breathing. I wasn't identifying a corpse. It made her even more beautiful in my eyes.

"Hey, sleeping beauty. I've been doing some thinking, and some inking..."

I pointed to my new, copied-from-memory tattoos.

"I copied it from memory. It's exactly the same......Anyway, I have some information that you might be interested in. It is about my past.....If you want, I can tell you now, or let you get some more rest, and tell you later. But I will warn you, it may change the light that you see me in....And most likely, not in a better light."

"What could possibly be so bad?" I asked as I touched his hand. "All my family here come from different backgrounds, we're pirates." I smiled gently. "You can tell me anything."

[Celeste Jade]

* ignore this post*

[Jace Keller]

"This bog will slow us down." I said as I looked around. There wasn't much to see, it was muddy, foggy and the rain was coming down harder now. "I'll get a search party together tonight."

[Argos Ewan]

“Well before we do that; let’s wait a couple of days to see if this weather won’t break for us. I don’t want our men getting sick unnecessarily. If it doesn’t break then we’ll do what we must. Right now we have plenty of work to do inside anyway.” I took my vestment loose and pulled it up over my head to block out the rain. “Right now I could use a good cup of coffee to dry myself out with.”

[Nawn Erdon]

I looked down at my feet and saw water forming around them. "I'm with you Captain. Much more of this and I am going to float away."

[Gideon]

I took a breath, and then, once I felt ready and prepared, I spoke.

"Well, it is bad. Or at least, it is to me.....Do you remember, a long time ago, saving a man who lost his arm in a bomb blast that was staged by the Imperials, according to the intelligence the Jedi supporters had during Order 66? You found him in some bushes, his right arm gone, the wound carturized from the superheated shrapnel, yet bleeding from an impact with what looked to be a rock? You were a field medic's apprentice at the time."

I took another breath.

"Well, that was me. I was the one that you carried out of there. And while this information doesn't seem bad, it gets worse...."

[Celeste Jade]

"You were...an Imperial?" I asked, I barely remembered that, it was quite a while ago.

[Gideon]

I blanched. Despite losing the indentification etching in my right arm when it was blown off, and my armor being shredded and slagged, she knew that I was an Imperial.

I nodded, and tried to speak, but it became difficult.

"Yes. I was an Imperial. I was a member of a specialized clone unit. We were the Shadow Troopers. We were designed as covert operations, and were involved in killing high-ranking Jedi that went into hiding. We would find them, and we'd go en masse with other standard units and we'd overwhelm the Jedi by numbers and force. I've killed not just men, but women, and children.....those that were potential threats, those with high midi-chlorian counts...."

I swallowed hard, trying to get the lump out of my throat.

"....but when I lost my arm, and heard that they wrote me off when they couldn't find me, I passed back out. And then you came, and carried me off, and nursed me back to health.....And then, one night, when I came off of the painkillers, I saw the wounded Jedi supporters laying in cots like I was. I freaked out. And I left.....That was me...."

I fidgeted with my hands, nervous as to what she would say.

"That's why I know so much about Imperial coding and protocol. I was one and for some time."

[Celeste Jade]

I listend and didn't know what to say. He killed Jedi and I had helped Jedi. "Are you still against the Jedi?" I had to know.

[Gideon]

I shook my head.

"I think I am one.....or at least, Force Sensitive. I think I was one of the seven or so clones who showed up with a high midi-chlorian count. Genetic alteration caused slight changes in our physiotomy....So, to answer your question, no. I'm not for the Rebels, the Imperials, the Jedi, the Sith.....I'm for my friends and my brother.....and for the almightly credit.....That's all I am, a mercenary, a highly-trained killer. That's it. Nothing special. Just a damned good murderer...."

[Celeste Jade]

I smiled slightly. "As long as you don't try to murder me, I don't have a problem. I'm used to the killings, I'm on a ship full of pirates...I chose this life and I'm here to stay..." I hoped that were so. "Or at least as long as my body keeps working." I felt beads of sweat run down my forehead. I was running a fever and that was no a good sign for one in my current condition. "Can you get me another blanket, I'm cold." I asked as I shivered.

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

Slowly, I opened my eyes. It took a while for them to focus as I looked around. My heart thumped excitedly.

I'm home! I could hardly believe it!

"Argos? Aramis?" I called as I lay there, I couldn't move very much and I was utterly sore when I breathed. I had no idea how long I'd been unconscious. But, I was home now and that was all that mattered.

[Gideon]

I quickly got up and retrieved a blanket from a closet panel. I unfolded it and draped it over her, tucking Celeste tightly in the blanket.

"There, that should help you sweat out a fever. It means your fighting infection. That's a good sign..."

Grasping a towel in my right hand, I moped the sweat beading on her forehead.

"And I said I was for my friends. And you are, at least, a friend.....and maybe, if you wanted to...."

I cleared my throat. I couldn't believe that I was attempting to say.

".....we could be more than friends. I want you to know that I'm here for you...."

My left hand caressed her cheek. It seemed appropriate to use the natural hand, and not the prosthetic, though I could feel the touch with the touch sensors in the right arm.

[Afwa Dohren]

As I looked over Tony Maxwell I suddenly heard a voice I’d not heard in......” I turned and saw Lady Ewan and her eyes were wide open. I quickly went to her side and looked her over. “Lady Ewan; Argos and Aramis are here.” I pulled out the com-link and showed it to her. “The Captain has asked that I summon him should you awaken. He is looking over the ship right now. I will summon him immediately. Would you like to speak to him?”

[Celeste Jade]

I looked at him as he spoke. "You...you would be interested in me? But...I may never walk again and that would be too much to ask of you. I'd be nothing, but a burden to someone and I don't want that for you. You deserve...better."

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

"Afwa...yes, I'd like to summon him...myself." I smiled as I took the comlink and pressed Argos' number. I heard his voice. "Yes?"

"Captain, your Lieutenant has awoken and is ready for briefing, would you care to concure?" I asked with a smile.

[Gideon]

I smiled, caressing her cheek.

"You will walk again. If it doesn't work, we'll get you to a planet that it can be done. You won't die.....you've got to say here, with me...."

And with this, I lean down, and kissed her, my eyes closing. I drew back, opening my eyes and looking at her, a smile on my face.

"And of course I'm interested in you! And I don't deserve better. You do. But you're the doctor, and I'm the guy who sends patients to you. It would work out great...."

[Celeste Jade]

I laughed lightly for a moment, until a ping of pain went through my back. I closed my eyes for a moment. As I opened them, the lights flashed slightly. "What's going on with the lights? Are we losing power?" I was suddenly concerned.

[Argos Ewan]

Stunned to find out it was her voice I was hearing I quickly responded. "would I care to concure? Oh you better believe I do. I'll be right there my love."

I looked at Jace, "I've gotta go. Button up the ship when you come onboard." I tirned away from him and quickly headed into the ship and to the Medbay.

Once I entered the Medbay I walked to the foot of Quay'Na's bed and looked at her. "She looked wide awake and looked as good as ever to me. "Quay'Na? Are you alright," I asked as I slowly walked to her side. I could see without a question that she did and I took her hand into mine. "Armamis and I have been worried about you."

[Gideon]

I looked around, watching the lights flicker on and off.

"I'll be right back. I'll go see what's going on...."

[Tony Maxwell]

The comfort of the bed surrounded my instantly as I was laid down, with the help of the doctor and Afwa. The pillow was cheap, yet so soft. I didn't get under the blankets, I was too manky and tired to do that. I simply laid on top of the bed, in my dirty, ragged business suit and scuffed up dress shoes. No one seemed to mind my appearance, they were far more concerned with my bruises and electrical burns. But that mattered little to me as darkness closed around me and my eyelids slid shut as if weighted down with durocrete slaps. Sleep took me...

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

I sighed as I saw him. "I knew you'd come back." I smiled. "Thoughts of you and Aramis kept me alive." I told him.

I looked around. "Where is Aramis?"

[Argos Ewan]

I looked at Quay’Na and tried to smile at her. “Aramis is busy at the moment. I’m sure he will be seeing you soon. He is working on the ship right now. We worked hard to get you back and it took us more time than I planned to get everything together.” I sighed with a heavy heart as I looked at the deck. “I’m sorry you had to endure what you did. There was no other way though. Please believe me, we came for you as fast as we could. The crew fought bravely to get you back, but there was a price we had to pay for your return. We lost four of our best pilots. We lost Creed, Turdon, Natoh and Aspertine. They died with honor and died fighting.”

I pulled a chair up to the side of her bed and continued to hold her hand. “Aramis filled in for you while you were gone. I must say, I was very proud of him and the lengths he went to in filling your position. I couldn’t have been prouder of anyone like I am for him. He did well despite his fears and connection with you while you were on the Lynx. He even control crash landed the Eclipse here on this world we are on right now. If it weren’t for him and his piloting skills, we wouldn‘t be alive today.”

“There is something I want you to know too. You will never have to fear the Grand Moff that imprisoned you on the Lynx. You will never see the Lynx again either. I destroyed both of them when I invoked Canli upon them. They were both destroyed by my own hands and you will never know or need fear of them ever again. This I promise you.”

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

My blood burned when he mentioned that man's name. "I'm glad that bastitch got what he deserved." I said venomously.

I looked away from my husband, I wanted to spare him any unnecessary pain. He didn't need to know of the raping, beatings and whippings. Though, he saw the scars and I was sure I looked dreadful.

"That man deserves to rot..." I didn't finish as I crossed my arms in front of me and looked at my lap.

[Argos Ewan]

“I know my love, I know. However there is one more thing I need to discuss with you. Wait one moment and I’ll talk to you about it,” I said as I stood up and walked away from her.

I walked over to Afwa and whispered into his ear and then looked at the surprise on his face. “Do it now. That is an order.”

[Afwa Dohren]

The Captain came to me and leaned over and whispered into my ear. I couldn’t believe what he told me to do. “Huh,” I replied as I looked strangely at the Captain. Then the Captain gave me the order and I unquestionably followed his order.

I walked over to Lady Ewan and disconnected her bed from the wall unit and kicked the wheels down on the bed. I rolled her bed into the office and locked it down so it wouldn’t roll anymore and walked out of the office leaving her there alone.

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

My keen ears heard him order Afwa to do something, but I didn't hear the part of what he was doing. I smiled slightly, probably some kind of welcoming home thing...he was always doing something like that.

I waited to see what was going on. I just wanted him to know how much I loved him and how grateful I was for him to risk everything he had to come and get me back.

A few moments later, my bed was unhooked and I was being wheeled into Celeste's office. What was my husband thinking? I gave Afwa a strange look, but he merely locked down my bed and left.

[Argos Ewan]

As Afwa walked out of the office I walked in where Quay’Na’s bed had been moved to and shut and locked the door behind me. I stepped to the side of her bed and gave her a solemn look. “There is something I wanted to talk to you about in private and now is as good of a time as any. First of all, do you understand that I love you and how much you mean to me? How much you are a part of me and always will be no matter what? Do you now understand and believe in me and us?”

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

"Of course, my love. I've never doubted it for a moment. I love you too, you mean everything to me...oh, Gods...did they find something in my scan. Am I ill?" A sudden look of fear came over me, I saw the look in his eyes and my heart fell.

"Are you ill?" I asked as I swallowed hard.

[Argos Ewan]

I sighed as I stepped a few steps away from her and shut the window shades and turned back to look at her again. “No that is not it at all. It's just in knowing how you feel about me and us, why didn’t you ever tell me or your son that Aramis was actually my son Palleus?” I spoke the name to let her know that there was no doubt that I now knew and had figured out the truth. That she didn’t need to lie about this or hide it any further. That it was now time for the truth to come out once and for all. I stood silently before her and awaited her reply.

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

I felt the air being sucked from my lungs as my hand went to my mouth and tears formed in my shocked eyes. I couldn't speak for a moment and then when I did all I uttered was. "Oh my Gods..."

I closed my eyes as tears fell down my cheeks. I felt the coldness of a dark blanket settle over my shoulders as I shook my head, wanting this to be a nightmare, but I knew it wasn't.

"Ohh, Argos..."I began as I looked at him. "Palleus was never supposed to fall in love. She was on a mission of sorts and I knew that one day she'd have to leave..."

Through my tears I spoke. "I never meant to hurt you...or our son."

[Argos Ewan]

My heart broke when she began to cry. I sat on the bed next to her and brushed the tears from her eyes. As I spoke to her I knew what I was about to say was going to have to be said in length to make my point known about how I felt. “I don’t claim to understand why you did what you did to us. It is something I guess I‘ll never be able to understand my love.”

I tried to smile at her to assure her. “However I must say, I am awfully proud to know he is my son. You could have made me prouder than I have felt about him, but that time is lost now. I do feel cheated from not being told sooner when I could have enjoyed him even more. I am now faced with so much to catch up on. The things I could have or should have done with him that I will never be able to completely make up between us. That does sadden me more than you could possibly imagine.”

“I will not be angry with you about this matter. I love you to much to be hurt to much by this. It does sadden me but I will get over it in time. Our love is strong and you have been and always will be the foundation of my life. To now know that I have a son will fill my heart even more and for that I thank you and love you even more.”

I bent over and kissed her to assure her and then carefully embraced her fragile body. "Do not fear, my love for you is not faltered, I swear it's not."

[Celeste Jade]

I looked around, watching the lights flicker on and off.

"I'll be right back. I'll go see what's going on...."

"Gideon...don't leave me...please." I said, my voice was shaking. I was afraid of dying and I knew it could very well be a possibility and if it happened...I didn't want to die alone.

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

My reasons were all for naught as I thought of why I never told him. I cried as he held me, I cried for what I'd lied about, I cried for what he'd lost in not knowing that Aramis was his son and I cried because I was guilty of all this.

"I'm sorry, Argos...I should have told you when I met you as Quay." I wiped at my eyes and sniffed as he released me. I looked at him. "I didn't know I was pregnant when I left. I was part of the Jedi Order then and I wanted to know of love...why it was forbidden. I wanted to prove to my Order that it should not be...but, we found each other and I never had been looked upon by anyone as you had looked upon me..."

[Gideon]

I heard her as I got five feet from her. I looked back at Celeste, turning my upper body to get a better look.

"I was only going to see if I could help keep it online. You know, so we can get the surgery going, and so you can get back on the mend......Me leaving would be the smart thing to do, and it just might mean the difference between life and death....."

I was using logic. I was trained to use logic. Emotions weren't to cloud my judgement. But seeing Celeste lying on that gurney......she wasn't a soldier. She didn't have the capability to sever the emotional "heartstrings" like I, a soldier and cold murderer, was trained to do. Either she had to learn, or die. If she put it of much longer, it could mean death for her.....and I wasn't ready to accept that.

"Look, I know you're scared, but the sooner everything's back online, the sooner your surgery is done, and the greater your chances are of survival...."

I trailed off, not sure if what she would say to that. Maybe she would think I was callous, or insensitive. Maybe she would see the logic. Maybe she would think both, and just tell me to leave.....who knew? I sure didn't.

[Argos Ewan]

I sat back up and looked at her and smiled. "Quay'Na, the only thing I can say is that I'm glad it was always you and not someone else. I am very happy to know the truth and I completely understand your reasons for doing what you did. You are right though. I too would have liked to have been told about this when we first met when you returned as who you really are. It would have made things much easier, especially now. Because we wouldn't be going though this now if you would have."

I sighed and stood up in front of her. "We have another problem though and it a problem that you and I both are going to have to deal with. I won't let you do it alone nor let you feel that you have to. It is Aramis. Quay'Na, he is completely upset with you since you lied to him. He is taking it very hard and is burying himself in his anger. I'm not exactly sure how to deal with that. I've already tried to talk to him and he has shut me out. What would you like to do? I will stand by you in any way I can in this."

[Avalon Aquilo]

I saw Lady Ewan being taken into Celste’s office and the door shut behind the Captain. I walked toward the door and heard Lady Ewan faintly cry after the curtains had been drawn and closed. I went toward the door and Afwa stopped me before I could reach the door. “Drop your guard Afwa. Lady Ewan is in need of assistance. Let me though now.”

[Afwa Dohren]

“No,” I replied in a whisper. “I have been given orders to keep anyone out. You nor anyone else are getting by me doctor. I‘m sorry. Go back to your duties," I insisted.

As I finished, Avalon slowly walked away and tended to her patience.

[Aramis Rakai]

I worked feverishly on the first generator to get it to work smoothly, but it wouldn't be able to hold the power for the entire ship so, I began to work on the second. It was as much as a mess, if not worse for wear than the first. The small amount of power I could surge, left the lights surging and flickering.

It was a good hour later that I finally got the wires cleaned up on the second generator and started getting it rebooted. A sigh of relief came over me as it slowly started up and the power came on full tilt. I blew out a deep sigh as one of the guys came down the ladder.

"Hey, Lieutenant, good job! I was just coming down to say that your mum is awake and alert if you wanted to go see her. We all know that you were really worried."

I looked up at Calvin and nodded. "Thanks, Cal. But, I'm going to finish up here on these last two generators first. I'm sure the Captain can handle things uptop."

"Sure thing, Lieutenant." He answered as he went back up the ladder.

The power was on fully now and would remain so as soon as I finished up the last two generators, afterwards I would go outside and see just what kind of damage I had caused to the ship.

[Avalon Aquilo]

The lights seemed to quit flickering and I knew there was no time to waste and went to Celeste and check on her. "Celeste," I said as I approached her. "It seems that we now have the power that is needed for your surgery. Are you ready for me to perform it now?"

[Celeste Jade]

The lights came back on and I smiled. "There, see..." A moment later, Avalon came to me.

She would be doing a surgery on me, she'd never done. I didn't answer for a moment.
"I'm ready." It would be better to die in the hands of a friend then to die without taking a chance. I looked at Avalon and took her hand in mine. "Avalon, just to let you know...if this doesn't work out as we hope, I release you of any guilt. Promise me, you'll feel no guilt if things don't go as we planned. For I know that you did your best and I'll never forget that."

[Gideon]

I looked at her, and stuck my tongue out, until Avalon approached and asked about the surgery. My tongue slid back into my mouth, and I felt bad for not being serious at a time like this. Then again, maybe it was just the thing Celeste needed. They always said that laughter was the best medicine, and joking created laughter. So did comical responce to the typical "I-told-you-so" remarks that people so often made.

I sighed, and nodded. Hopefully it was clear that I was going to be here the whole time to support Celeste. That was all I could do....I was no doctor....

[Avalon Aquilo]

I looked down at Celeste and smiled. “So tell me, exactly when was it you lost so much faith in me?” I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow at her. “I know exactly what I am doing. So don’t be so anxious to die alright? You never know, I just might mess up and make you live a whole, carefree and painless life. Now that would be terrible now wouldn‘t it?”

I walked away from her knowing I could do this provided I had everything I needed to do what was needed. Still, there was a terrible risk I was taking. She could very well die in my hands, but there was no choice in this. It would have to be done or she would die within the next few hours anyway if nothing was done now.

I walked over to the far wall and opened a cabinet and found everything that would be needed. I placed everything in a sterile tray and made sure everything remained sealed until needed. I looked overhead and reached up to pull down the surgical light from the ceiling. I was now ready to perform the surgery.

I looked across the Medbay and waved at Afwa. “Afwa, never mind that door. Bring the doctor and her bed over here. I will be performing the surgery here under this light.”

Afwa brought the doctor’s bed over and placed it exactly where I asked him to and locked the wheels down.

Gideon followed her as she was being moved. I began to pulled the curtain from the wall and stopped Gideon as he approached after the doctor’s bed was in place. I put my hand out and stopped him. “Your going to have to wait beyond this curtain.” I winked at him and then whispered, “she’s going to be alright. I’ll do everything I can for her.”

After I closed the curtain and returned to look over Celeste. “I am ready to begin now. Are you ready?”

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

I sat back up and looked at her and smiled. "Quay'Na, the only thing I can say id that I'm glad it was always you and not someone else. I am very happy to know the truth and I completely understand your reasons for doing what you did. You are right though. I too would havew liked to have been told about this when we first met when you returned as who you really are. It would have made things much easier, especially now. Because we wouldn't be going though this now if you would have."

I sighed and stood up in front of her. "We have another problem though and it a problem that you and I both are going to have to deal with. I won't let you do it alone or let you feel that you have to. It is Aramis. Quay'Na, he is completely upset with you since you lied to him. He is taking it very hard and is burying himself in his anger. I'm not exactly sure how to deal with that. I've already tried to talk to him and he has shut me out. What would you like to do? I will stand by you in any way I can in this."

I sighed deeply. "I'm going to need to try and explain, why I've done what I've done. Whether or not he'll listen to me is beyond my knowledge. I've hurt him terribly and I have to come to the fact that he may never want to talk to me again. He has every right to do that, I've kept this from him since his birth." I looked at my husband. "I left the Jedi Order as soon as I found out I was pregnant, I was scared and I didn't want the Order to find out."

I looked down at my lap. "I lied to my Master and the Order just to become Palleus and to be part of your world for that short four months. I'm not at all proud of what I did and now I must pay for the consequences of my actions. Meaning that...I may very well loose my son, the very nightmare I was trying to keep from happening."

Sadness was in my heart as I messed with a loose thread on the sheet. "I won't be taking my charge as acting Lieutenant. Let our son keep his place." I told him with a sigh. "I've taken enough from him, I won't take this too."

[Celeste Jade]

"You are going to knock me out aren't you? If not by drugs, I'm sure you can find a pipe to knock me out with. " I said nervously and tried to make a joke. "I don't want to be awake for this."

[Argos Ewan]

I shook my head as I watched her. “You are so wrong about doing this. He doesn’t like being in your position. He wants you to come back to it. He has told me that himself. He likes what he does here and he does it well.” I smiled as I remembered what my son had told me and lightly laughed. “As a matter of fact he hates your position. He’d rather be doing what he is doing right now. It calms him somehow.”

I shifted myself in the bed to get more comfortable with her. “I think doing what he is doing would drive me nuts myself.”

“Anyway, the crew would be upset too if they found that you gave up your position after what they just went through for you to get you back. So talk to Aramis and see if what I am saying isn‘t true. I think you‘ll find that I am being honest with you.”

[Avalon Aquilo]

I walked over to hear and smiled as I hung up a bag of anesthetic. “The way your acting I don’t think we have a pipe big enough for you around here.”

I bent down and took a hold of the tube to the anesthetic and placed it in her arm and turned on the flow of it. “Afwa, I want you to hold her down. Do not let her move.”

Afwa quickly took a hold of Celeste and held her down.

“Celeste, listen to me. Your going to feel a little warm and a little lighter and then your going to fade. Do not fight it. Remain calm. I have you and will see you again soon.”

I watched her calmly as her eyes began to flutter and she slipped off.

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

"He doesn't want the position?" I asked, rather surprised.

"Aramis has always loved tinkering with machines, he's gifted..." My voice trailed off.

[Argos Ewan]

“No he doesn’t. He wants you back where you belong and yes, he is gifted. So I’m not going to grant your request. As your Captain I have that right,” I said as I smiled at her.

I leaned over and kissed her and then looked at her as I held her hand. “I want you by my side on the Eclipse’s bridge. It’s where you belong Quay’Na. I couldn’t do this without you. I need you at my side. So please, don‘t do this. Stay with me and at my side.”

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

I returned his kiss, feeling so good that he didn't hate me for what I'd done. "Well, since you put it that way, I have no choice but to remain by you." I held his face in my hands. "I love you, Argos as no one ever has, you've given me life again and you have not turned your back on me from my past. You are my life and as soon as I am able, I will be on the bridge."

[Argos Ewan]

I turned my head and kissed her hands. “It’s were you belong my love and I would never turn away from you. You’ve become everything that life means to me. I am only an empty shell without you, if you haven’t noticed.”

[Gideon]

I wanted to go with her. I wanted to protest, to raise hell about it. But in the end, it wouldn't do any good. The doctor needed no distractions. She was merely doing her job. So, I decided to do my job: I decided to wait here for Celeste, and for news of how the operation went.

I found a chair nearby, and sat, waiting patiently. I took another flask from my flight suit, this one an alcoholic beverage. I took a large sip, and felt the slow burn as the liquid made its way down my throat. It felt good. I sighed and closed up the flask, storing it back into its pocket. I closed my eyes and waited, calming and centering myself, my mind ever on the hopeful, that she would come out okay....

[Avalon Aquilo]

I saw Celeste go completely out and I looked up at Afwa. Your going to assist me in this and I don‘t want an argument about it.” I went to her side and pointed at the floor next to me. “Come around here and help me turn her over.”

He came to my side where I pointed. “Now take a hold of her and help me to turn her over.” I watched as he thrust his hands under her. “STOP!” I looked at him crossly. “Do it gently. I don’t want her harmed any more than she is already.”

Together we pulled her body toward ourselves and the gently turned her onto her stomach. I went to her head and turned her face outward so she could breathe properly. “Now I want you to do nothing but watch her and monitor her while aI work on her. If you see anything unusual at any time, tell me immediately. Do you understand me?”

Afwa nodded his head and watched the monitor over her head on the wall.

I approached Celeste carefully and opened the back of her gown and then reached up and turned on the surgical light overhead. I put a pair of surgical gloves on and took the las-knife into my hand and turned it on. I closed my eyes and said a short prayer and then continued. I made my first incision and opened the cut to revel the damage to her spine. “Oh My Gods!”

[Afwa Dohren]

As I looked at the monitors I heard the doctor and turned to look at her. "Doctor, what is wrong?"

[Avalon Aquilo]

I stepped away from the table and shut the laz-kinfe off. “This is much worse than I thought it would be. I’m not sure I can even help her.” My hands began to shake and I dropped the laz-kife. “I don’t know what to do.” I looked up and saw the monitors begin to drop off swiftly. “She’s.....we’re losing her.”

[Afwa Dohren]

I quickly went to the doctors side and looked at Celeste's opening in her back. "I don't know doctoring but even I can see this isn't good."

I looked at the doctor and took her by the shoulders. "You can't just let her go like this. Your a doctor and you know what to do or you wouldn't have started this to begin with. Think, do it now or she is gone. Her vitals are dropping."

[Avalon Aquilo]

I looked directly at him. “That’s it,” I excitedly replied. “Her vitals; of coarse.” My hands quickly calmed and I quickly moved by instinct and thrust my hands into her surgical opening and pushed my fingers upwards along her spine. As I did, the vitals began to slow their downward movement and began to rise again. As I held onto her spine I looked at Afwa and then looked at the table next to me. “Go over there and get yourself a pair of gloves. I need your help if we’re to save her.”

Afwa quickly went to the table and pulled on a pair of gloves and asked what he was to do.

“Alright,” I replied. “Listen to me carefully. I am holding two of her vertebra between my thumbs right now and keeping them from pinching her spinal cord, that is what is bringing her vitals back up right now. I want you to slowly and carefully reach in and pull the bone fragments from her body.”

I watched as he slowly pulled each fragment from her body piece by piece. Once done he looked at me questionably. “That looks good. Now go around to the other side of her.”

He walked around the table and stood facing me. “Now, place one of your hands on her upper back and the other on the lower portion of her back on either side of this opening and push outward from yourself on her body and don’t be gentle about it and hold it in place.”

He did exactly as I told him and held his arms there. As he spread his arms I felt the pressure ease off my hands which told me he was stretching her spine apart. “That is good, now push just a little harder.” He pressed harder and it moved exactly where I wanted it. “There, now stop and hold that. Now don’t let go or she is dead. You now hold her life in her hands.” I looked up at the monitors again and smiled. “She’s looking good now, now hold it right there.”

I slowly removed my hands as they began to cramp up a little. I reached in and quickly removed the broken vertebras and cleared the opened area with some absorbing that sat nearby. Once cleaned up I turned and opened the packages I had prepared and began inserting the manufactured pieces I needed to do the repairs. I spent the next hours reconstructing her spine as if it were second nature to me. Every fifteen minutes I relieved Afwa and took his placce to allow him to rest his arms. After his rest periods I continued to perform the surgery.

Once I had finished I checked my work and checked for excessive bleeding. I found that I had cauterized everything that would bleed off. I made sure the blood flow was what would be needed for it to heal properly.

“We’re almost done Afwa. Are you alright?” I watched as he nodded. “Very well then. I want you to ease up on the pushing and let me watch to make sure this is going to work.” As he eased up ever so slowly I checked and watched for anything that wrong. Once I felt assured of bone I looked at Afwa. “Alright, let go of her now.”

I watched closely as he released his push on her body and saw everything come directly into place. I took a hold of Celeste’s left shoulder and pulled on it to twist her body and saw everything working as it should. I pulled on her left hip and saw the same results. I stepped back and took up a healing spray tool and pulled the skin together and sprayed the adhesive on her open wound to seal and secure it. I took her robe and drew it up around her body. Once completed, I stepped back and dropped the tool to the floor and smiled at Afwa. “We did it my friend. She’s going to be fine now.”

I watched Afwa as he sat down in a nearby chair and massaged his arms. “You did an outstanding job Afwa. The doctor owes you a great debit for your work and I am going to tell her so. You should be very proud.”

[Afwa Dohren]

“I beg to differ doctor,” I replied. “I’ve never seen anyone do that before. It was astounding to watch you do that. You definitely restored my faith in you despite the scare you gave me at first. If anyone is to be commended for this it is you.” I suddenly heard Celeste begin to stir and saw Avalon move quickly to respond.”

[Avalon Aquilo]

I heard Celeste moan slightly and I quickly went to her head and leaned down to whisper to her. "Celeste, it's me Avalon. Listen to me and don't try to move around. Everything went well and if things worked then you'll be able to move around soon but not right now. If you move around your going to open yourself back up. So don't roll around and stay on your stomach. We're going to have you up in no time. Right now I want you to move your toes and feet and see if you feel everything in them now."

I looked down at her feet and watched them and she didn't respond. Again I tried just in case she hadn't completely heard me. "Celeste honey, move your feet or toes and tell me if you can feel them. Come on, you should be able to do it now and feel them."

[Argos Ewan]

"Now that is the very woman I have come to know and love and the very reason why I came for you. I can't think of anyone I would rather have at my side." I smiled at her as I looked at her. "Side by side and back to back we have fought together and I have never loved no other than you. You are and always will be the only one I will ever call wife."

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

I smiled and noticed that the lights stopped flickering. "Well, it looks as if someone got the power to remain..." I knew who that someone was.

"I wonder if Tiny could get me some food, something light I'm not sure I can eat alot right yet. I've not eaten in I don't know how long."

[Argos Ewan]

I lightly touched her shoulder and smiled at her. "Well you just take it easy here and I'll see what he can pull together. I think Aramis has finally got the power online now, so Tiny should be able to come up with something light for you."

I walked over and opened one of the blinds to a window and saw the curtain that was drawn in the Medbay. "It looks like Avalon is performing the surgery on Celeste right now. I hope she is going to be alright. I'd sure hate to lose her."

I remembered that Quay'Na couldn't have any idea of what I was speaking of. "When we crashed here, Celeste had a bad injury to her back. We weren't sure she was even going to make it without surgery. Since the power is now restored I'm sure Avalon began her surgery right away."

I closed the window shade and pulled out my com-link. “Tiny are you there?”

“Here Captain. May I help you?”

I looked over at Quay and winked at her. “Well the power is online now and my wife is requesting something to eat. Could you please fix her something light? She needs to build her strength up.”

“How about some broth and some tea,” he asked.

I think that will do nicely for starters. I’m sure she will be wanting more later when she is more mobile,” I replied.

“Very well Sir. I will have it at the Medbay in about ten minutes. Tiny out.”

I turned the com-link off and turned back to face Quay. “Well, while we’re waiting on that, let me give you a quick run down on what has happened. Like I said earlier we had to crash land here. Right now I’m not exactly sure where here is but for now were down and safe. The Eclipse was shot down by an Ion cannon from a pair battle cruisers after your rescue and retrieval. It knocked the Eclipse out of hyperspace and Aramis was forced to crash land us here after Jace was knocked unconscious on the bridge. Both of our fuel cells were ejected to prevent us from turning into a firestorm when we landed. I’m going to perform a search party soon to find out if we can retrieve them and get the Eclipse up and running again.”

I reached over and unlocked the door and went to Quay’Na’s side and sat down in a chair next to her. “The Eclipse is in sound shape but will need some work done before we can even think of launching again and the fighter bay is a wreck. Without any fuel cells, we’re pretty much stuck here. I’m sure we’ll come up with something some how.”

I crossed my legs as I continued. “Other than that we now have a new Wing Commander. Nawn has now taken that position and has done an astounding job. Without his help and expertise getting you back would have been impossible. Despite his efforts we still lost four pilots.” I lowered my head as I slowly shook it. “you couldn’t have asked for braver men than the ones that gave their lives for us Quay’Na. We will have to make a memorial to them. They deserve nothing less than our gratitude for their efforts and help. Even if it is just in memory of them. I wish we could do more, but they knew exactly what they were doing and why. Getting you back meant almost as much to them as it did Aramis and myself.”

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

"I never wanted any of this to happe, Argos. When we attacked the Lynx and I saw that Aramis was in trouble, I had to go. I needed to make sure he was alright first and formost, for he is the foundation of us...even though, I never told you. I knew how important he is, I've seen it in the Force. His Force link is astounding and I've known that for many, many years. But, he needed protection...if the Empire were to ever get a hold of him...they would to him a lot more than they did to me." I bit my lip and looked at my husband. "They would kill him."

I paused for a moment, before continuing. "My own life didn't matter as much as his, so I took it upon myself to make sure he was safe as I always have. That was another reason I kept him hidden from outsiders. He won't see is as I have, he's a young man now and will not appreciate my safeguarding, but it was to his best interest and yours."

[Ma-thrus]

I quickly walked across the swamps and found the beast that wrecked my place of living. I walked toward the shell and hit the outer skin of it. "Why you hurt Ma-thrus's home? You not welcome here." as I spoke I suddenly realized there were sounds coming from within the shell. "Hum, Ma-thrus not understand, but I figure out. Many ways I have of dealing with things. Many of us are there that may know how to speak to you, yes. Ma-thrus know how to speak to your kind." I laughed as I continued. "Can't eat you so might as well talk to you."

I sat down outside the shell upon the wet ground and looked at the shell. "I wait long time to talk to you. Yeeeeeeeees I will if I must. Ma-thrus not leave til you do, no."

[Aramis Rakai]

The main power generator was going to be a bugger, so I decided to let the other three run for a while and then come back once I was refreshed. That ion blast really did its damage on this one.

I got back to the ladder and hung my crutches on a rope that was hanging down from the opening, it had a hook on the end. I smiled and thought of Cal, he did this for me. I used my good leg and my arms to pull myself up from the bowels of the ship and lay on the floor of the bridge for a moment, before pulling up my crutches.

Once back on my feet, I left the bridge and wanted to do my own inspection outside before darkness fell. I opened the hatch and was immediately swept into the gloominess of the outdoors. It was cool, but not cold and it didn't seem to be raining at this particular time. Good.

I made my way to the end of the hatch and stepped into the muddy ground, it felt good to be outside away from all the drama inside. I'd have to deal with that soon enough. "Okay, girl...let's see how badly I hurt you." I spoke softly as I began to walk around and inspect here and there for serious damage.

[Argos Ewan]

“I know Quay and I understand. I did the very same thing when we came for you. The only difference was that he knew I was going to invoke Canli upon them before we attacked so there wasn’t anything hidden from him. He knows you did what you did to protect him and that has made him feel even more upset that you we left behind and drove him even harder in getting you back.”

“I know that the connection between him and you drove him hard and even harder every time he felt you or your pain you went through. I stayed by his side to help him through it and to help him connect with you.”

I heard the door open behind me and saw Tiny walk though it slowly as he carried in the tray for Quay. He handed it to me and looked over at Quay. “Welcome back Lady Ewan. It’s good to have you home again.”

[Ma-thrus]

As I sat upon the ground I heard a noise coming from the shell. I stood up and walked around the shell and found it to be not a shell at all. It was a ship and a creature was walking out of it. I slowly walked up to it and spoke out. “Welcome the one. I am one of many, Ma-thrus. I see your ships' not in good shape it’s not. Oh, to bad, but you broke my home when you landed. At least I think you did, but doesn’t matter, no. Ma-thus happy to see the one; yes most happy yes.”

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

I smiled as Tiny entered. "It's good to be back." From the look on his face, I could imagine that my appearance startled him. "No worries, my friend. Once I get some of your homecooking in me, I'll look much healthier." I told him.

"Of course, m'lady." He answered. "You can count on me to do my part." He said as he handed Argos the tray and excused himself.

"Well, soon maybe we can get on with our lives and leave all this behind us...which is something I would like to discuss with you." I said as Argos handed me my tea and I took a sip.

[Argos Ewan]

I watched as she took a sip of her tea and then spoke to her. "What is it? Is something wrong?"

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

"The Empire will know of what we've done, Argos." I didn't want to tell him that I was afraid, I didn't want to tell him that they had broken me terribly so and if I ever went back...I'd die. But, if I didn't tell him how I felt, I was lying again.

"Argos...I can't go back." I looked at my tea. "I've been broken in the worst way...my spirit has been shattered and when I close my eyes, I'm still in that nighmare."

[Jace Keller]

"Hey, Jace we need some help in the hangar bay, it's an absolute mess." I was told more than once.

"Okay, I'll be down there soon." I called back. We needed help in his tiring endeavor and I knew someone who could help us greatly. Gideon.

I knew he was in the medical center, but stopped off at my quarters before going there. I got into one of my drawers and found my salvation. Liquer.

This particular flask was full and I brought it to my lips and drank it in. I felt a sense of renewal and tucked it away inside my jacket pocket, moments later I was entering the medbay and saw him.

"Hey, bro...how's Celeste?" I asked with much concern in my voice.

[Argos Ewan]

I nodded my head as I understood what she meant. “I know Quay and I’ll never let you go back again either. Not if I have anything to do with it, I promise.” I took her free hand from her as I looked at her. “I would rather you die of my own hands then to let you go through that again. I’ll do us both if I have to prevent that from ever happening to you again.”

As I held her hand I sat down because the pain I so deeply felt struck a cord within me. “I can’t even begin to understand or imagine what you could have went through Quay. I saw the Grand Moff on the Lynx just long enough to know his heart and what I saw was cold and dark. I swear to you, before he died he felt pain from me that I am sure he never thought he would ever experience when I killed him.”

I sighed as I looked at her with sadness in my face. “I only pray to the gods that you will be able to find peace with me now knowing you are now with me. I know it is going to take you some time and time is what we shall have.”

[Jace Keller]

Ignore this post

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

I nodded. "I'm not the same person I was when I was taken, and I don't know if I'll ever be again. All I can say is that I'm going to do my best to heal this portion of my mind and hope and pray that God will send me a miracle with Aramis. If I can't get him back...I don't know what I'll do. I've done so wrong and I can't do anything to take it back."

[Gideon]

My eyes flickered open. It was Jace. This was too much of a coinscidence. I was almost undoubtedly Force sensitive. I nodded slightly at Jace.

"I'm pretty sure she's okay, man. How 'bout you? You remembering anything?"

I could smell alcohol, and it wasn't mine. Mine was brown whiskey, not as strong as the stuff that.....Jace was drinking. He was off the speeder again.....Beforehand, he had tried to stop drinking for his health. And now, he was drinking again. Hmm. I had stopped him from doing drugs before. Maybe I could help, but to help meant not to badger him. He had to accept it before he could start. And acceptance meant not to be pushed in that direction, but to be nudged in it.

[Argos Ewan]

I sighed as I looked at her. So much healing, so much was wrong. "Well with Aramis, he is going to have to heal just as you are. He is hurting right now too. And just as it is with you, your both going to have to not let things that have happened run your lives. If neither of you do, then you will both be lost. Lost to me, lost to each other. Personally, I don't know how I could cope without the two of you."

I stood up and walked across the room and looked out the window toward where Avalon was working and saw nothing showing any progress. I let the blind down again and looked at the deck. "Your both everything my life means to me." I looked straight at her and worked hard to hold my emotions in for her sake as I leaned against the wall. "I don't know if I could continue on without you, without neither of you. If I had a magic spell to wipe away everything that has happened in the last few weeks I would do it, but I can't."

I went to her side and looked down at her as I took a couple of her fingers into my hand. "You and Aramis are all that matters to me. Not the ship, the crew or anything else."

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

"I know, love and you mean everything to us and yet we're in the big mess...because of me, on both accounts. But, I'm not going to allow myself to feel sorry for myself, I brought this on myself and I have to be the one that will fix it. As soon as I'm strong enough, I will. I'm just hoping that Aramis will listen to what I have to say and think about it before shunning me out of his life. We had an argument just hours before the raid, did he tell you?"

[Argos Ewan]

I nodded my head to her. "Yes he did." I took a deep breath as I recalled everything he had said to me. "He felt responsible for you in every way. I wish I could have taken his pain from him but he wouldn’t let me in enough to let me help him by reasoning with him. He is so strong willed and doesn‘t respond as he should for his own good.”

[Jace Keller]

My eyes flickered open. It was Jace. This was too much of a coinscidence. I was almost undoubtedly Force sensitive. I nodded slightly at Jace.

"I'm pretty sure she's okay, man. How 'bout you? You remembering anything?"

I could smell alcohol, and it wasn't mine. Mine was brown whiskey, not as strong as the stuff that.....Jace was drinking. He was off the speeder again.....Beforehand, he had tried to stop drinking for his health. And now, he was drinking again. Hmm. I had stopped him from doing drugs before. Maybe I could help, but to help meant not to badger him. He had to accept it before he could start. And acceptance meant not to be pushed in that direction, but to be nudged in it.

I shook my head. "Can't remember much at all, besides I know you and Celeste...though I don't know where from or how we met. Which I feel absolutely stupid about. This mission that we were on is completely blank and I have no clue how or why we've crashed." I lowered my voice a bit. "And that lady doctor, I know things were different and it's completely a blank. Though, I did remember that I'm very claustrophobic when she thought it would be smart to lock me in the storage compartment of the bed. I thought, I was going to have a heart attack." I sighed deeply. "My mental perception tells me that we were close and I'm hoping you can give me something to maybe bring that back."

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

"He got that from my father." I said. "And our argument was on a very personal level...he wanted to leave this life."

[Argos Ewan]

Surprised at that she was saying I didn't understand. "Your father? You've never spoke to me about your father. What happned to him," I asked. "Something I should know?"

[Aramis Rakai]

As I sat upon the ground I heard a noise coming from the shell. I stood up and walked around the shell and found it to be not a shell at all. It was a ship and a creature was walking out of it. I slowly walked up to it and spoke out. “Welcome the one. I am one of many, Ma-thrus. I see your ships' not in good shape it’s not. Oh, to bad, but you broke my home when you landed. At least I think you did, but doesn’t matter, no. Ma-thus happy to see the one; yes most happy yes.”

I felt the presence of life all around me, but was not expecting part of it to come strolling up behind me. I nearly jumped out of my drawers!

"Hey, Man!! Don't do that!" I nearly yelled as I turned and saw the creature behind me. It was definitely not human or Inleshat...something more out of a backwater planet, like this one. "Sorry, you startled me." I said in a more calm tone.

"I flatttened your house?" I asked with a grave tone. "How can you be happy, if I flattened your house?" A strange creature, this was.

[Gideon]

I nod.

"Well, first off, we need to speak in private. What I know about you, not many others know....."

I motioned for the hallway.

"We will talk more when we get to my room. There, it's unmonitored, unbugged, and soundproof. I did it myself. Let's go."

[Ma-thrus]

“Ah, home not matter, no, no.” I stood boldly before this creature and placed my hands on my chest as I spoke. “Ma-thrus alive not going to die. That makes me happy.” I lowered my head and looked toward the dirt. “Home all gone, not there now.” I looked at him and smiled. “But doesn’t matter Ma-thrus live with Ma-thrus. At least I think I can. But doesn’t matter. Many home I can find on Edonaaris. Many home I can build.”

Off in the distance I heard a movement in the trees. I ran toward the front of the ship and jumped onto the nose of the ship and ran toward the hatch. Once at the hatch I reached down and grabbed the upper part of the hatch and lay down on the top of the ship and peered into the ship and saw many more creatures walking around in the ship. I looked back to the creature and spoke to him. “Many creatures you are. Many more on ship. Oh, no, no, they are in ship. Sorry forgot inside and out, yeah much confused.”

I sat on top of the ship as I heard more sounds from the distance. “Inside you must go. Much danger here there is. Yum, you become meal for many creatures here in jungle. Many not let you walk anymore, yes. Should go inside now, time is running out. We should hide inside. Should do it now.”

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

"My father was killed in the tsunami on Drexel II, my mother died on the transport whilst coming to Inskalon, Aramis and myself barely survived. Like all refugees, we were packed in so tightly and the death washed throughout the ship bringing on disease in just a few hours in that twenty-four hour trip, but it was longer back then."

I paused as I remembered those horrible days and the potent smell that made me vomit. "My parents were proud people, until I returned home to them from the Jedi...pregnant. They made me swear that I was widowed and that my husband was killed in some distant battle and my name was restored to Rakai. I was merely a slave to my own name and all I had that would keep me sane was my son. My father would take him out and teach him the ways of the Old Inshat, teach him that stability was the meaning of life and stability was only brought on out of disopline. Aramis was very introverted whilst growing up in that family and I had no escape, I had no money for such an attempt. So, secretly I began to learn my own trade, to be mechanically inclined and that's how I taught Aramis after we survived the tsunami. Through my teachings I was able to bring the good out in Aramis again and he began to shine. That was when I discovered he was Force sensitive."

[Jace Keller]

I shrugged. "Carry on." I followed him to his quarters and went in. "So, what is this all about?" I asked.

[Argos Ewan]

I listened to her intently as she explained everything to me. "So that is where you came up with the reasoning that you told Aramis about? I can understand even more now that I have heard this. It is very understandable why you told him what you've told him in the past. I only wish there was some other way he could have found out the truth. Don't misunderstand me, I do understand I really do now. However I don't know how understanding he is going to be but he deserves to know and know it all."

[Quay Rakai-Ewan]

"My parents threatened that if I said any different that they would take Aramis and exile me and I'd never see him again. I feared them more than anything and my life was anything, but wonderful there. We lived that hell for 32 years and by then, he was a boy and he'd been lead to believe that his true father had died and the 'father' that cared for him died in the tsunami. He was so confused, so I just quit talking about it and it wasn't long after that that I ran into you."

[Argos Ewan]

I went to the foot of her bed and placed my hands onto the foot of it and looked directly at her. "Then tell him the truth. Tell him what you haven't told him and let him know why you did that."

I stood up and continued to look at her. "He's never going to completely understand if you don't tell him all of it. Yes, you've told him part of it but only what your parents told you to say. Tell him why you did that. After all, it was only to help you to keep him with you. How can he not understand knowing this?"

[Gideon]

I sighed, and sealed the door behind me.

"Well, for starters, we met when we were children. I always saw you in the summertime, when I had time. That you knew. What you didn't know is that I was merely, all this time, a member of one of the Clone Army's Shadow Troopers. I was being trained, which kept me busy, save for summer leave. Another thing you knew was that I helped you kick your habit of drugs. Various designer drugs. But you didn't stop drinking. We had some time apart. I was wounded in my time, when Order 66 was taken. This you didn't know: I lost my right arm there, when I was helping to exterminate Jedi. Ironic that I turned out to be one of the seven out of one hundred of my template that had a defect: Force sensitivity. Yet I was killing those who were Force sensitive. I was beginning to lose my taste for it when I was forced to kill children. Defenseless children. When I did this, I felt them die. I felt them die. And, this even Celeste, the only other one that knows of what I was in the past, doesn't know this: I set off the bomb that took my right arm. It was triggered to blow as we were leaving. Feeling their pain, I tried to make it right. But doing something right doesn't take away the wrong; instead, I lost my right arm for doing wrong. It worked out. But sometimes, when I wake up, I still feel them, still hear their screams.....But enough of my problems. Let's focus on yours. You have a drinking problem. To the point to where, if you start back heavy, you will cough yourself to death. You were coughing blood last time. It's time to stop. Of course, we won't stop cold gundark.....It'll be gradual. Every night, I want you to come here, and have a drink with me. And every night, we will back it down slowly, until you no longer need the drink. I can help you, my brother, but first, you must help yourself."

I held my hand out to him, open and ready for a sealing handshake. A man's word is a man's life. If your word is of no worth, then neither is your life.

"Will you help yourself? So that I may help you, Jace Keller?"

[Aramis Rakai]

I scratched my head as I watched this funny creature skidder around. "What are you talking about, what creature?" Suddenly, my adapt hearing honed in on some strange noises to the West. A rather strange scraping sound.

"What is that?" I asked as I looked towards the sound, but didn't see anything.

[Jace Keller]

I frowned slightly. A drinking problem? I didn't have a drinking problem, all these people had the problem and it wasn't me.

"She put you up to this, didn't she?" I asked as I stepped back. "You have a drinking problem, you have a drinking problem!" I threw my hands into the air. "Can you not find another scapegoat to hassle? This is nonesense! I've had one drink and now I'm a pathetic drunkard who can't control his dubious craving! I don't have a problem here!"

[Gideon]

I remained completely calm.

"No, I put me up to this. And you need to remain calm. One drink now. That's fine. But we know your past. I know your past way better than anyone here, including your own brother. And you're no scapegoat. We only care. We want to see you do better, to get better. If I had a problem, then I would expect you to do the same thing, irregardless of whether I remembered or not. So here's the deal: you've had one drink today? Go for the rest of the day without one. And tomorrow, have a drink, but let it be smaller. Or, better still, if you don't have a problem, then quit completely. Can you? If so, I want to see it."

[Ma-thrus]

“Nasty, terrible queen, yes. Queen do much hunting for young. Ma-thrus kill many spiders like these. Ma-thrus usually talk to trees,” I said as I pointed at the trees. “Talk to many bugs in dirt.” I placed my fingers to my lips. “Often eat many bugs taste good, yum. Very nutrient. Make strong and fast.”

I shook my head as I continued to warn the creature. “This one very bad though. Make stomach hurt. Wrap you in many laces and pull your arms off. Hurt very much.” I shook my head as I thought of the past. “Poor Ma-thrus, not live to tell Ma-thrus about spider. Ma-thrus gone now. Very sad, yes.”

I pointed at the creature, “you not like spider queen. She kill and move to many more, yumma.” I reached up and placed my fingers to my lips. “MMMMM ya! Gone, you not here anymore.”

I heard more sounds and began to quickly walk in front of the creature. “Oh, oh must go. Must go now and hide. Go now, I follow. In ship we should be. Very close now.”

[Jace Keller]

I ran a hand through my hair. "I'll tell ya what, if I start to get sick...I'll quit. How about that? If what you say is true, I'll get sick then...right?"

[Aramis Rakai]

I was reluctant for a moment, until I could definitely hear something coming this way. "Alright, this time you win. I'll have you meet the Captain and you can explain yourself and this spider."

I went back up the hatch and once the strange creature was in, I closed it up. Something strange was coming close to our ship and I needed to inform the Captain. I took the creature to the lounge. "Now, you stay here. I'm going to get the Captain." I instructed.

I caught Tiny coming back from the Medbay and told him to keep a close eye on our new guest, then proceeded towards the Medbay.

I walked in and was told that Argos was in the office with my mother. I shook my head and I kept thinking of him as 'Argos' and not my 'father'. I hated to disturb them, but this could not wait and I overruled Afwa's orders and lightly knocked on the door.

[Gideon]

I sighed.

"Last time you said that, you had a case of pneumonia so bad that you were coughing up blood. And by then, it will be too late. It's like playing with a gundark. If you keep playing with it, it will eventually get you. Now, if you can have small amounts, you will be fine. After all, you won't feel the effects. Only when the toll is too great for your body will you feel ill. And by then, it could be fatal. So, I'm asking you, not as a friend, but as a brother, for you to exercise caution and control...If not for yourself, than at least for Avalon. Maybe you don't know this, but you two were seriously in love. But you kept your distance, to keep her from getting hurt.....Do you remember that?"

[Ma-thrus]

"Yes, yes. Ma-thrus stay here for you I will. Ma-thrus wait here. Not go wondering about, yes."

I walked about the room and saw many strange looking four legged things sitting around and pushed one of them. "Hello, I am Ma-thrus. Do you live here on ship?"

As I stepped back to look at the four legged thing and huge creature walked in.

"Hello, I am Tiny and will be watching over you for the moment."

I slowly walked around the creature and poked at him to feel his clothes and began laughing. "No, No, you not tiny. Your very big creature. Ma-thrus not seeing anything tiny about you." I looked closer at his clothes and saw something sticking out of them. "Now this, this is tiny yes." I pulled at the tiny thing and his skins began to unravel. I quickly pushed the thing back onto him and patted it. "Oh, Ma-thrus sorry. Didn't mean to make your skin fall off. Most scary, if Ma-thrus knew this would happen Ma-thrus wouldn't have hurt you. Sorry, so sorry."

I watched as the creature quickly grabbed his skin and walked out.

I peeked out of the hatchway and peered around the edge of it. "Ma-thrus must go and help fix tiny thing. Where did creature go?" I shook my head. "No, creature say for Ma-thrus to stay here. I like little creature, very strange but Ma-thrus should do as little creature asked." I walked back into the room and sat down in the bottom of the room and moved my fingers about. "Um, no bugs to eat and can't talk to trees here. Ma-thrus don't like room but stay as asked. Ma-thrus leave later. Stay and wait now."

[Argos Ewan]

As I spoke with Quay'Na I heard someone knock lightly on the door and went to answer it. I opened the door and saw my son standing there. "Please, come on in. I think there is something your mother and I would like to speak to you about. Please have a seat next to your mother."

[Aramis Rakai]

"We dont' have time for that, Father." I told him as we heard noises on top of the ship. I looked up at the ceiling for a moment.

[Jace Keller]

I thought about both of these things, but my brain still would not let them go. "Alright, I'll have just a bit...no heavy stuff, is that al..." Suddenly, I heard strnage noises on top of the ship on the outside. "What the?"

[Argos Ewan]

"Oh? And why is........" I suddenly heard something that sounded like it was on the ship. "What in the Gods?"

I looked at Quay'Na. "I'll be back. We've got to find out what is going on."

I turned and looked at Aramis and put my hand on Aramis's shoulder as I began to walk away. "Come on........" I walked away at a fast pace as I spoke to him as he tried to follow me. "What is happening?" I stopped by the ships’ lounge and waited for Aramis to catch up.

[Ma-thrus]

I saw an older creature come in front of the room I was sitting in and got up from the floor and walked toward him. “Ahhhh, you are the one. Ma-thrus happy to see you.”

I saw the younger creature come toward me as he caught up with the one and I pointed at him. And you, the other one. Together, you are the one.” I put my hand to my chin and rubbed it and shook my head. “No, no. You didn’t hear me say that. One more there is and makes the one and have not seen the rest of the one. Ma-thrus knows what he is saying and knows all will make the one. Humm, confusing yes. But Ma-thrus knows what he is meaning. Seen it I have.”

[Argos Ewan]

As I stood in front of the lounge, a being that was unfamiliar to me approached me and spoke to me. I looked back at Aramis as he finally caught up with me. I pointed at the being and asked with a puzzled look on my face. “What in the worlds is this?”

[Aramis Rakai]

"This is Ma-thrus and he seems to know what is outside, whatever it is...it's huge and I could sense the hunger within it." I explained.

[Ma-thrus]

I nodded my head and replied, "yes, I am Ma-thrus. Ma-thrus hear creature on ship. No, no, not big one but very hungry. Not the queen though. Ma-thrus been looking for the queen. Seen her once I have. Very big, very dangerous. Little one curious more than dangerous as long as queen feed it. Ma-thrus have no idea when little one has ate. Not looked for it, but know when it is around."

I pointed at the younger creature. "The one knows when it is around and what it feels, most strange to Ma-thrus."

I listened as I heard the creature walk across the ship toward the front. Sounds like it is leaving. Don't know Ma-thrus doesn't. Does the one feel anything from it now? The one should know, yes."

[Aramis Rakai]

I looked down as I could still feel it's presence. "It's...it's still hungry." I said softly as I waited a few moments. "It's...hiding, waiting for it's prey." I looked up at my Father.

"No one is to go out there...or they will die." I warned.

[Argos Ewan]

"Very well. I think we should go to the bridge though. See if we can see what we're faced with."

I looked down at Ma-thrus and asked, "strange though, why is it you call me and my son the one and what kind of species are you?"

[Ma-thrus]

I looked up at he one and smiled and pointed at him. “Ma-thrus know you. You the one.”

I looked at the other one and pointed at him. “And you are the one. No, no, can’t say that. Neither of you heard me say that. Not time. Should be another, but I didn’t say that either.”

I stepped back and looked at both of them. “Doesn’t matter though. You ask what I am. I am Ma-thrus, yes. That is what I am. Ma-thrus is six. No more, just six.” I frowned and looked down toward the ground. “There never more than six. Five today, six tomorrow.” I looked up and laughed, “always six. Six live on Edonaaris.”

[Gideon]

I heard the clanking too. And it sounded strange....and with the sound, came a chill as a picture permeated into my head, filling my mind with.....bugs, big bugs. Eight legs. Fangs. Teeth. Eight or more eyes.....arachnids....great. I sprung into action, quickly opening the cabinets for my armory. I began to quickly suit up, running my helmet through the skematics as I suited up further, grabbing all my weapons. Once set up, I let the black cloak fall, and nodded to Jace, my voice resounding from the helmet.

"Bugs. Big ones. Maybe spiders. We can't leave the ship. It has to be secured. I'm going to the main exit. I want you to get to the other soldiers, and have them suit up and get ready, but do not, I repeat, do not have them leave the ship. Time is of the essence."

With this done, I rechecked and reloaded all my weapons, and scooped up some extra ammuniton cartriges, and then exited the room, heading for the main exit. It had to be secured.

[Argos Ewan]

As I listened to him I now knew where we were and would have to look it up on the star charts later to get our bearings. “This is the Ship Eclipse and is a raid ship. I am the Captain of this ship.” I pointed toward Aramis. “This is Aramis my son. He is a mechanic and computer splicer on board this ship. His mother is the Lieutenant of the Eclipse. She is in the Medbay at the moment recovering from an injury.”

I looked down the passageway and saw Gideon walking our way. I held my hands out. “Hold up Gideon. Don’t go out there. Not until we get more information about these creatures. The one outside the ship is in hiding right now. It’s best to know a direction before just jumping into something we know nothing about.”

[Ma-thrus]

I saw the soldier come into view as the Captain spoke to him. I walked over to his shiny amour and saw my reflection in his armour. I looked closely and smoothed my hair out with my hands as I looked at myself. “Ma-thrus not to bad looking.”

I reached out and knocked on the armor with my hand and smiled at it. “Is there anyone in there?”

I reached into my rear pocket and removed a tool and tried to repair the amour. “Your droid has a screw loose. Ma-thrus good with tools unlike others. Ma-thrus like son. Good for fixing things. Have this one operating correctly soon.”

[Gideon]

I smiled underneath my armor. This guy, this creature, thought that I was a droid with a screw loose. But he was right. There was a screw loose in my plating. Must've came loose from the wreck. I nodded.

"Thank you for fixing my armor, though I am not a droid. The plate must've come loose during the crash...."

I turned my visored visage to Argos.

"And I wasn't leaving, I was securing the ship. It seems spiders.....or at least some sort of large arachnids are on our ship. It's just a hunch....I'd like to take a sample for analysis, to better understand a potential threat......But I'll get my sample when a team goes outwards....Strength in numbers...."

I took a breath and walked to the entrance, and went through the locking protocols.

[Ma-thrus]

“Huh,” I replied when I was suddenly startled and quickly pulled my tool back from it. I looked angered at the creature as I hit it gently with my right hand. “You scare Ma-thrus!” I went back to work as I put my tool back to work and finished. “There, Ma-thrus finished now.”

I watched as it walked away from me. “Where are you going?”

I looked at Aramis with a worried look. “Droid not going out is he? Not wise, no."

[Aramis Rakai]

"No, he's not." I answered. "The ship is secured, did it myself, Gideon." I told him. "And you are right it is some type of spider."

Just how I knew these spiders were strange to me, but nonetheless I did.

I looked at my father, "we're going to have problems when we go to find the fuel cells." I dreaded my decision about ejecting them now.

[Ma-thrus]

I walked over to the one and pulled at his tunic. “Captain need not worry. Ma-thrus know where fuels cells are.” I reached up and scratched my chin. “Humm, well Ma-thrus know where one is anyway. One is sitting on my home. Ma-thrus know where that is.....or was. But Ma-thrus know other can’t be far away. Well, not to far anyway.” I nodded my head. “But we find, yes?”

[Argos Ewan]

“Well Ma-thrus, we’ve not a choice. We’re going to have to find these just to get off of Edonaaris. Without them we’re pretty much stuck here. That is unless we can contact someone beyond Edonaaris. That depends on if our communications systems are working, but we’ll worry about that later. The less we try to use the communications systems the less chance the Empire will find us.”

I looked over at Aramis and continued. “I’m sure they are still looking for us. We’ve hit them with quite a blow and I’m sure they won’t just go away and not look for us. There isn't any way they are going to get to your mother again.”

[Avalon Aquilo]

I heard Celeste moan slightly and I quickly went to her head and leaned down to whisper to her. "Celeste, it's me Avalon. Listen to me and don't try to move around. Everything went well and if things worked then you'll be able to move around soon but not right now. If you move around your going to open yourself back up. So don't roll around and stay on your stomach. We're going to have you up in no time. Right now I want you to move your toes and feet and see if you feel everything in them now."

I looked down at her feet and watched them and she didn't respond. Again I tried just in case she hadn't completely heard me. "Celeste honey, move your feet or toes and tell me if you can feel them. Come on, you should be able to do it now and feel them."

I looked at Afwa as he looked on and shook his head. "Celeste, do you hear me," I asked her.

[Gideon]

I turned my visor to Aramis. My voice crackled over the helmet's vocabulator speakers.

"Good. I wanted to check myself. Standard procedure. Plus, all it takes is one breach, and we are in dire straits. Or at least, worse that we are at the moment....."

I walked back to the creature, and offered my hand in a handshake.

"Thank you, Ma-thrus, it that is your name. My name is Gideon. And yes, we will find it, once a plan of defense is formulated, along with a search vector setup...."

[Ma-thrus]

As Gideon offered his hand I wiped mine on my chest so as to not smear his wonderful armor and then offered my hand to him. “Gideon, yes. Ma-thrus very glad to meet you. Well when you ready Ma-thrus lead you to fuel cells. Well one anyway. Do know where one is , but not like the one here,” I said as I pointed at Aramis and the Captain. “Not the same and not all. Not met the other yet. But Ma-thrus will, yes. Ma-thrus seen it he has.”

[Aramis Rakai]

I raised an eyebrow at the funny creature, I could tell I would get very annoyed by him if he kept on this silly babble of knowing who I was. I didn't like that at all.

"Nightfall is upon us, so I think we should wait until day break." If there was such a thing here. I had a feeling it would be constantly gloomy and the only difference would be that during the day it would be a lighter gloomy and at night a dark gloomy. I sighed, we couldn't have crashed on some tropical planet.

[Argos Ewan]

"Well we do need to get to the bridge and check on the ships systems." I looked at my son, "do we have enough power now to operate our defences or shielding? If we do, we need to at least defend the Eclipse from these creatures. We have enough repairs to do as it is already without these creatures tearing up the ship any worse than it is already."

[Ma-thrus]

“Spider creature not return here,” I said as I looked at the Captain. “Knows there is nothing about the ship it can eat. So it doesn’t like, Ma-thrus sure. Oh, except the scent it may have picked up from us walking around the ship. But other than that, spider creature not want ship, most sure I am.”

[Argos Ewan]

I listened as Ma-thrus interrupted and looked at Aramis. “Well, I’d still feel more comfortable knowing the ship were protected. Do we have enough power to do that now?”




Continued on new thread “Quay’na’s Rescue Part III (Escape From Edonaaris)