Survival

[Aurelias Kazaar]

The Rebel Calamari Cruiser- Memory of the Organas- In Orbit Over Transdosha

The two figures circled each other, their bodies shining with sweat. Their eyes locked with each other as neither combatant wanted t'give away any type of movement.

Aurelias Kazaar knew a couple of fighting styles, but he wasn't really a master at any of 'em. Kinda came with th'territory...ya learned what ya could t'survive.

'Sides...survival was a helluva lot better than bein' a master of something.

Better a live adept than a dead master.

Both of them were wearing sweat pants and tank tops, their feet wrapped in tape. Kazaar's muscles rippled a bit, as they circled, while his opponent's muscles remained flat against her body.

Different people...different bodies...both dangerous as hell.

He then lunged at his opponent, attempting t'strike at 'er leg. He was planning t'throw her across the blue mat they fought on, giving him even more opportunity t'strike again.

But she dodged, landing an elbow on the solid muscle of the Rebel Agent's back.

A *whuff* t'escape Kazaar's clenched lips.

He sprawled, but was up quick enough t'dodge the kick his opponent sent towards his head.

A quick lunge and his opponent was on 'er back.

It was only momentary, as she pressed hard with her legs, swinging 'er lithe body up and forcing her body away from the hold.

Now it was Kazaar on his back.

Again, only momentary, as the former bounty hunter pressed hard against the chest of his opponent. His back came up and she went down, then somersaulted outta the way.

They rose and Kazaar smirked.

"Nice work."

His opponent almost flashed a smile, then Kazaar was on 'er with another tackle. He slammed her shoulder to the mat, attempting t'pull on her left arm. He wouldn't put it outta socket, but it'd be sore for a bit.

It was then her knee rose up and connected with Kazaar's groin.

He winced, let out a groan, and fell to th'mat.

The combatants seperated and he waved th'match to an end.

"That's frackin' cheap," Kazaar couldn't help but wince as th'pain (finally) started t'subside.

"Going after a man's jewels. That ain't fair at all."

Then he gave another smirk and grabbed a white towel, "Couldn't've done it better m'self.

"Nice work, Kid."

[Estelle Russard]

Russard crossed to the corner of the mat, collecting a towel of her own and wiped at the perspiration coating her neck and arms.

"You always get me with that arm-pull maneuver. It hurts like heck, Kazaar" she groused.

It was more than her shoulder that was bruised, Kazaar knew.

"You said if I twist like I did, it would break the hold" she accused sullenly.

Kazaar's smirk widened, "You gotta move faster - have ya put on a few pounds since we been out?"

"Very funny" she said, tossing the towel at his grinning mug. "You must like taking it in the junk, then do you?"

He replied by shooting the towels x 2 back at her, hitting her flush in the face.

The bout had been a good one, regardless of Estelle's sluggish defence. She was getting better each time around - Kazaar wasn't holding back nearly as much as he had been in the beginning and this was a source of pride to the young agent.

She tossed the towels into a receptical and changed the subject.

"Has there been any reports of Imperial activity where we are going?"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

A snort of some kind came from Kazaar's nose.

"Ya never know with those lizardheads," he picked up a cigar from the wooden bench next to th'mat. A moment later and the smell of tobacco permeated the gym.

"Fight well, yeh, have nice guns, yeh, but everything else 'bout 'em sucks. Ya never know with those guys...even with their ghrakhowsk 'n all.

"Wookies're better, but both of 'em smell bad."

This illicitted a grin from Estelle, "Like your cigars?"

Another snort.

"Shaddup, Kid," although there was a smile in the former bounty hunter's black eyes.

Kazaar wasn't sure why th'blue nerf the Rebellion was here, but t'be honest he didn't care. Meeting with the Trandoshans made no sense really...they were slavers and frackin' religious zealots with their 'Scorekeeper' 'n all.

Even if they fought well, didn't matter. Their culture spoke for 'em on their own.

He'd raised hell with both 'The Black Man' and Belargic 'bout the meeting.

"It stupid, ya dunderheads, ya can't trust 'em!"

But he'd been assured th'Trandoshans were, indeed, being honest and that the Rebellion needed all th'help it could get.

"Wonder what th'Wookies think 'bout that," he'd shot back in anger.

'Course why they even told 'im anything didn't always make sense either...but he figured the Rebel leadership was bein' nice since he saved 'The Kid' and all.

Either that or they figured it'd shut him up.

Morons...frackin' morons.

"Imps're always running 'round here. Guess 'the powers that be' figured it'd make more sense t'send a bigger cruiser than a frigate."

A smirk, "People tend t'listen more when a bigass ship is 'round than a frigate."

His eyes caught something on 'The Kid' and he pointed a taped hand to her midriff.

"That ain't what I think it is right?"

[Estelle Russard]

A quick hand tugged her tanktop down to cover the inked symbols that ran from her navel and over towards one hip. She flushed a little pink at the throat and shrugged off Kazaar's attention.

"The Trandoshans may yet prove their worth" she re-directed the conversation a little more tersely than she'd intended.

"The Alliance has been surprised in the past with those who have come to be allies. Goodness knows we have enough enemies to keep us occupied.

Help is help, Kazaar. We should always remember that"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar gave something which sounded like a 'Feh'

"Don't start spoutin' Bossman's propaganda again," his eyes flashed, "Even he knows it's never that easy.

"Why do ya think I haven't tried t'recruit any of those other bounty hunters I used t'run with."

He crossed his arms, not bothering t'try to read whatever script Estelle'd gotten inscribed on her body.

Inwardly, he smirked...maybe 'The Kid'd be willing t'come with him when he got his arm fixed. He still hadn't gotten th'destroyed Rebel insignia fixed...hell he hadn't even decided what was gonna replace it. Prolly another symbol, but the gods only knew what it'd be.

His mind shifted to th'current mission.

It was a simple 'escort' mission, make sure th'diplomat ensuring Trandosha's admittance into the Rebellion made it out alive, then go back t'Coruscant.

Simple, right? Psh they never frackin' were.

Turns out, it was a Wookie who'd set up this meeting between the Rebellion and the Lizardheads. How one of those walkin' carpets had set it up, who knew...but he'd done it...the two were meeting. So it'd be interesting t'see what the two sides would actually talk 'bout. Certainly, the Rebellion wouldn't be happy 'bout Trandosha's slaving, nor would the Trandoshans be happy 'bout the Wookies' involvement.

But the Rebel Agent left that up to th'fracking diplos and their 'great minds'. Another snort from Kazaar.

He hated diplomats almost (almost) as much as he hated th'Empire. All they did was frackin' talk.

Speakin' of Diplos...Kazaar and Estelle were schedule t'take over for the current guard team in 15 minutes. They were two Army guys named 'Kravis' and 'Gherak'...nice 'nough guys, but stick in the muds.

Hopefully they'd kept emotions atta lower tone...'specially with the Wookies in there too.

He took a moment t'stare outta the window into deep space.

Dosha was a nice looking planet...seas, moutains, deserts...the works. Had a bitta everything in it...which wasn't too bad. Kazaar's home, Brentaal, didn't have any water oceans, just frozen ones.

And he'd never seen the Alderaanian oceans or wherever else his parents had lived. They'd gone t'Brentaal and stayed there. 'Parently it reminded his dad 'bout the planet he grew up on...but Kazaar's parents didn't talk 'bout it, for some screwy reason. He'd pressed 'bout it once, but his dad'd taken a strap to his backside, so he hadn't asked after that.

Wasn't until he started workin' for Gorgja did the former bounty hunter start moving 'round. Even then...wasn't th'same.

Kazaar flicked his eyes from th'planet to th'space beyond it. Kashyyk, the sun it shared with th'wookies was obscured by the planet, while a buncha small asteroids floated around th'planet...waitaminute...

Kazaar's black eyes caught on th'image of the asteroids...and his mind started t'work.

Trandosha didn't have any meteorites or asteroids...and those damn things were getting...oh shavit!

"KID RUN!" Kazaar explained, grabbing his silver Bryar blasters and Estelle's small 22T4 Holdout blaster in his left hand.

With his right, he pulled 'The Kid' outta the room, sealing it with a press of a console next to it.

The duo kept running, Estelle's voice catching Kazaar's ears.

"What's wro--!!"

It was then the Space Bombs struck the hull of the Memory of the Organas, cutting power, and disabling th'ship.

It was a trap...a frackin' trap!

Damn Trannies!

Kazaar thrust Estelle's blaster into her hand.

"Get to our room...grab gear, then check on th'diplos. And no farquing around!

"Move!"

The ship shook again with more explosions.

Stang!

[Estelle Russard]

Progress down the long corridors was hampered by the violent lurching of the crafts deck beneath her feet. Each impact from the assaulting bombs seemed harder than the last, each deep 'boom' from somewhere on the levels below or above her louder and more destructive.

"Why aren't we firing back!" Estelle yelled as she watched Kazaar round the corner ahead of her. Could the main command decks have been destroyed? "We're still on the same course. Cant they try evasive action?"

The questions, of course, neither helped their situation or changed the task to hand. The rebel agent's priority was the safe-keeping of the diplomat, the fate of the Organa's was in the hands of her captain and crew.

The pair pounded to a stop outside their charge's quarters and for the longest three seconds, the door failed to slide open. Kazaar shot the control with a blast from one pearl-handled pistol and after an exciting display of fire and sparks from the panel, the door opened.

The suite was empty.

Estelle checked the refresher, just in case, but it only confirmed the diplomat was gone.

The thought struck the duo at the exact same instant, and both Kazaar and Russard spun on their heels and bolted from the room to the emergency shuttle bay. Kravis and Gherak had followed protocol and were removing their 'package' from danger, evacuating the diplomat from the crippled ship. With luck they would have already embarked and were making for a new safe haven.

It took them another four minutes to arrive at the exit bay on level 6, but it was more than enough time for what Kravis had to do. He and the dipolmat were gone and on the floor in a pool of his own blood lay Gherak.

The Alliance had been double-crossed.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar let out a string of hushed curses, in both Basic and a language Estelle recognized but couldn't place.

In the back of her mind, she noted Kazaar'd been doing that a lot recently...not cursing (he always did that) but switching between two languages.

Was his time in the Rebel prison that bad?

Kazaar's black eyes narrowed as he inspected th'emergency shuttle bay. He nodded towards 'The Kid' and they both started checkin' the other shuttle for damage.

They found it...a large hole had been burnt into the engine casing, likely from an explosion of some kind. This shuttle might get'em offa the Calamari cruiser, but it sure as hell wasn't gonna get 'em into hyperspace.

Black thoughts filled Kazaar's mind. Damn Rebel 'Intel'...tellin' me I can't use m'own fracking ship.

"Kid...we gotta move."

She raised her eyes at Kazaar, "The escape pods in the next bay?"

A smirk and a nod.

The expression froze on the former bounty hunter's face as his ears picked up a high-pitched *phoom* coming from somewhere in th'hangar bay.

"DOWN!"

He pushed 'The Kid' outta th'way of the blast from the concussion rifle as its Trandoshan wielder fired a blast at th'duo.

A light blue cone of energy shot up from the ground, missing Estelle but catching a part of Kazaar. He was flung across th'bay where he smacked into th'forcefield which separated the hangar bay from the wilds of space.

The Tranny was standing near th'entrance to the escape pods blocking the Rebel duo's planned exit. He wore a yellow and brown toga-esque outfit, with a green cape (looked rather stupid t'Kazaar's blurry eyes).

But he was recognizable t'his eyes, blurred or not.

So that's where the Tranny diplo went, Kazaar thought as blackness took him.

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle raised her blaster and shot the Trandoshan 'diplomat' - two to the chest - and watched as he fell backwards to the floor with a thud.

She ran over, kicking the concussion rifle away from his lifeless hand and then crossed back to where her partner lay spreadeagled on the floor.

"You there -- Kazaar?" she tapped his face briskly a couple times with the palm of her hand. "Aurelias, can you hear me?"

The "Memory of Organas" heaved suddenly and began severely listing to the left. The small window of opportunity to follow after Kravis and regain their charge was closing.

"Kazaar - you gotta snap out of it" more tapping, more vigorously. "I cant haul you" she said in dismay.

--Great-- she carped as she took one limp arm and began dragging him awkwardly toward the doorway. Fortunately, the deck was tipped in her favor, literally, and she had made good progress - halfway to the next bay - when she heard a unimpressed yowl from her rebel counterpart.

She couldn't be sure, but what he said definitely sounded like a cuss, no matter what language he was using.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Another growl, then a metal *screech* followed the original curse.

Estelle dropped Kazaar's arm for a second, noting one of 'The Twins' skittered on the floor towards the escape pod bay. Cautiously she started towards the bay, her blaster raised.

Two blaster reports sounded, a howl, then a cry of pain came from the bay. A moment later, Kravis' body (sans arms) was thrown into the shuttle bay, followed by a large silver-backed Wookie.

It was the diplomat she and Kazaar were supposed t'be watching. Only now he didn't look so much like a diplomat, more like a warrior. The Wookie's fur was stained with blood and his eyes were fierce.

He let out a *growl* and took a step towards Estelle.

"Wait...wait...Master Lahakka...wait!" a silver protocol droid followed the wookie he strode towards 'The Kid'.

"I believe she was one of the Rebels to protect. One who didn't betray you!"

A *thud* came from somewhere in the ship.

The Wookie tilted his head towards Estelle, then let out a series of grunts and yowls. Then he pulled the female Rebel into a large hug, before releasing her.

"Master Lahakka is asking if you are all right..." the droid stated, "He is also thanking you for distracting the...oh I'm afraid I cannot repeat what he said about the Trandoshan diplomat."

Lahakka roared probably another insult.

"He is also concerned for your friend and suggests the two of you get offThe Organaquickly. He fears the Empire may not be far behind."

Another *thud* came from within the ship, as if to echo the Wookie's sentiment.

He strode forward, picking Kazaar's prone form up, then carried him into the Escape Pod Bay.

Lahakka also picked up Kazaar's fallen Bryan Pistol and growled a question.

"I believe he's wondering if this is yours."

[Estelle Russard]

Being hugged by a Wookie is something that has to be experienced to be appreciated. The sheer overwhelming sensation that, if he so willed it, you could have your life either a) crushed out of you by his brute strength, or b) have it stiffled from you in a pillow of surprisingly silky-soft hair against a warm gurgling belly -- You being utterly helpless to avoid either. Yet, the knowledge of safety and well-being is commuted to the hugg-ee by the incredible gentleness emanated by the Wookie himself. Beyond her initial surprise, Estelle was quite delighted by it.

Now, as the he held out Kazaar's blaster, Estelle took it, explaining to the droid (who in turn explained it to the Wookie) that it was her partner's, whom was currently slung over the giant's shoulder.

"We are happy to be of help to you, Lahakka, and glad to see you aren't hurt."

She followed him towards the escape pods, stepping briskly to keep up with the Wookie's long stride. The droid was fated to do the same, his brittle legs working double-time and giving him a rather undignified rocking gait as he tundled in their wake.

"It seems the whole diplomatic project was a set-up" she added, disgust at such treachery lacing her words.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Lahakka growled in agreement and the droid didn't bother to translate. It did, however, do its best to pick up the concussion rifle the Trandoshan had wielded. It looked rather awkward in its hands, but somehow it managed to do it.

The trio (quartet if ya counted the unconscious former bounty hunter) traveled in silence for a couple minutes. Then Lahakka gave a series of barks and growls, the droid translating.

"Master Lahakka believes it best if you and your partner escape most quickly. There are two survival packs per escape pod. Perhaps it bes--"

With a *beeeooop* the droid shut off, as a blaster bolt separated the head from the body, sparks flying in all directions.

Lahakka and 'The Kid' threw a glance over their shoulders to see three stormtroopers rush into the hangar bay. One of them had gotten a lucky shot (or was it unlucky, Estelle wondered...depended on the target) off and struck the protocol droid, destroying it.

Lahakka set Kazaar down quickly, picking up the dropped concussion rifle. He fired it at the stormtroopers and they scattered like bowling pins.

Black bowling pins, Estelle noted. The stormtroopers were wearing black armor, not the white of usual troopers.

The Inquisitors were here.

The Wookie barked something which was probably a curse, then motioned for her t'grab Kazaar and put him in the Escape Pod.

The message was clear, "Get out...I'll cover your escape."

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Everyone says bein' unconscious is different.

F'some it's just like going t'sleep...ya close your eyes 'n ya wake up later with a buncha people staring at ya 'n wonderin' if you're okay.

Others say it's like swimming inna dark, murky pool. Or floating towards 'The Light' (why is there always a light anyway?).

But for Kazaar...he was bein' pulled towards it.

Dark tendrils grabbed at his arms, pullin' him towards something which looked like a glowstick. He heard 'The Kid's voice...his dead partner's sultry voice callin' him...some Wookie howlin' (which annoyed him 'cause he liked th'sound of the ladies)...blaster fire.

The smell of the hangar bay started t'come to him as he kept bein' moved towards, what he hoped, was consciousness.

Or 'least a place where he could find a frackin' cigar anna drink.

************************************

TK-290, and what was left of his squad, hustled their way through the corridors of The Memory of the Organas.

They'd taken plenty of casualties from the Rebel scum who'd fought well, but still fell dead at the hands of his mates. The squad's commander, Sergeant Harrowfeld, raised up a hand and the group stopped in a corridor leading towards the hangar bay.

The mission had been relatively simple...board what was left of a 'Squid Ship' (Calamari Cruiser), sweep the area while Squad Beta made contact with Alistar Kravis (who would be holding a Wookie diplomat prisoner), then get out.

The Inquisitors had sent five squads for the mission (one for each sector of the ship, including the separated portion of the command deck). Of course, Squadron Alpha ended up drawing the command deck, but those farqueheads always got the vapebait jobs.

290er wore his Inquisitoriate stormtrooper armor proud, the ebony armor always shining when he was able to polish it.

There was something about being involved in the Inquisitors...it wasn't like 'regular' stormtroopers and their average shooting...no this was important work.

He'd fought on Hoth as a snowtrooper- trying to catch the Rebs before they got off planet, then he was sent to Bespin to help 'calm the planet'. After Emperor Palpatine's death, 290er had been transferred to the Inquisitors where he met up with Jak Tal (the current stormtrooper to his right) and Zeta Squad.

While Harrowfeld talked with Mission Control, Tal whispered to 290er.

"When we get done with this...I got us a line on some Nurses who might be willing to 'check us out' after the mission."

290er grinned beneath his helmet and nodded, "Works for me."

The sharp voice of Harrowfeld interrupted the two, "If you ladies want to stop talking over your tea and cookies, we're moving out.

"MC says to abandon ship, apparently this squid ship's orbit is degrading quicker than they thought it would. They got the command crew and Squad Beta's apparently about to get the diplo so we're done here.

"Move out!"

The group gathered themselves, then started working back to their shuttle, as the floor started to shift a bit.
************************************

'The Kid' was gettin' ready to answer Lahakka's churf 'bout leaving, when three blaster shots rang out.

The first smacked into the wall next t'a black-clad stormtrooper who'd been lurking around the entrance to the hangar bay. As he flinched, a second shot caught him in th'shoulder.

The third blew a small hole in th'middle of his helmet.

Then a weakened guttural voice, almost more than a whisper, spoke up.

"Sights're offa bit. I was aimin' for his eyes."

It was Kazaar. His face was a mess, a big purple bruise covered th'right side of his face and his right eye looked like he'd been inna barroom brawl (and lost). But his left eye still glinted and something of a smirk was on his bruised face.

He let his right arm down and rested it on th'floor of the escape pod bay.

Then he caught his breath and started t'rise.

"Damn that frackin' hurt."

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle ignored the quip from her partner, surprised by his opening fire and the objects of his lethal attention suddenly withdrawing, was more to her concern.

"Where're they going?"

She hadn't thought things would unravel so quickly. Sure, the lurching ship was a real bad sign but the Organas wouldn't collapse so fast, surely?

The Wookie howled his innocuous response and rattled off some blasterfire of his own, clipping a metal pin that held a fire extinguisher in place next to where the Imperials were retreating. The unit dropped to the floor with a clang and the spring pingged off, setting the nozzle to flip back and forward in a white frothing frenzy.

Russard crouched to get an arm under Kazaar's shoulder and struggled to heft him upwards. Lahakka pushed her out of the way with one massive paw and stooped to pull the prone Aurelias up and sling him over his back.

"Right then, we should get out of here" She spoke with frail conviction and glanced at Kazaar, the conflict of leaving without checking if they could help other companions clear on her face.

Aurelias, sad state that he was in, caught the thought instantly and cut off her reckless suggestion before she could make it.

"You'd never make it 'kid" he stated flatly, as something deep within the vessels girth exploded with a shuddering boom. "The didplomat's good as dead if we go back.."

"Arrrrrrooowwwrrrr" urged the Wookie.

Lahakka started to run to the small escape shuttle, juggling Kazaar uncomfortably with each stride.

Russard rushed along behind them and a huge fireball rumbled its way down the corridor and into the hangar bay.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

As much as he wanted to complain 'bout being carried around like some damn papoose, Kazaar kept his mouth shut.

Never anger a wookie...diplo or no diplo.

"DOWN!" He shouted as th'fire shot into th'hangar bay. The trio camped behind several medium-sized containers, large enough t'shield them from the blaze.

It struck the damaged shuttle, slagging the engine and alighting the fins.

The former bounty hunter winced as something pricked his ribs, and he felt something shift inside of him.

That ain't good.

Then he saw the two long, sheathed swords protruding from Lahakka's back. Even in th'danger they were in, Kazaar had t'marvel at the beauty of the Ryyk blades (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Ryyk_blade). He'd never seen a pair this close and they were frackin' gorgeous.

The marveling came t'a fiery end as the shuttle exploded.

Hot slag flew through the hangar bay bouncing offa various equipment, sending sparks throughout.

"Can't get out that way," Kazaar mummered and Lahakka gave a *churf* in agreement.

"Back to the escape pods?" Estelle raised a brown eyebrow.

"Yeh...let's get th'hell outta here. You sure ya can fit in one?" he asked th'Wookie.

A growl was the response and Lahakka shifted Kazaar on his back, just enough t'get the hilt of one of th'blades t'jab his ribs.

"Awright...awright...just checkin'...jeez...don't get ya hair all mussed up."

Even in the predicament, 'The Kid' barely stifled a smile.

They made it back to the escape pods, then squeezed into one. The ship rumbled around them again as more explosions were heard.

'The Kid' pressed a button and they jettisoned out towards space, only t'have The Memory of the Organas become a memory as it exploded.

The shock wave caught 'em...and sent them hurtling towards Trandosha at a breakneck speed.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar reached out with his left hand, pressing a button which started the repulsor engines, as a way t'keep the ship from completely crashing upon re-entry.

"This is gonna suck," he muttered, again wishing forra cigar.

The pod shot through the atmosphere, the altitude control thrusters just starting t'kick in as it got closer to th'ground. It'd just started to turn, the engines whining when a lightning bolt struck the side of the pod. 'The Kid' flinched away from the viewport she'd been staring at...momentarily blinded by th'bolt.

All three Rebels let out curses of various lengths as the engines cut out and they started free-falling.

Th'lights flashed again, as the electric systems tried t'kick in. It let outta *whine*, a cough, then started workin' again.

The repulsors kicked in...

...Just in time for th'pod t'hit the grasslands of Trandosha.

The trio was thrown around like bottles, slamming into various compartments in th'pod. Kazaar thanked whatever gods were out there, the damn pod was padded. It kept th'pain down just a bit.

It was then his head connected with a metal med kit and he lost consciousness.

Not a-frackin'-gain, were his last thoughts for 'bout an hour.

The pod skidded along the grasslands, a trail of debris following it. The engines kept *whining* as they fought against physics and the laws which demanded it break apart and rend the bodies within to shreds.

Through some miracle it held, finally coming to a stop along a stretch of brown grass, which bordered a range of mountains.

Lahakka threw open th'hatch pulling out the unconscious form of Kazaar. He also grabbed the metal med kit (a nice dent in its side from its impact with the former bounty hunter's rather thick head) and started bandaging Kazaar's wounds.

Once that was done, the Wookie went t'check on 'The Kid'.

[Estelle Russard]

Sometimes you're the windhsheild, and sometimes you're the bug.

Her grandfather had often coined that phrase - usually as a heartless quip over toasts of brandy at the end of a successful hostile takeover bid. Old man Russard was typically the windhsheild as he rolled over some poor competitors life with his Russard Enterprises monopoly machine, but he understood the sentiment well enough, having in times passed been the 'bug' himself. Estelle thought the remark never more approriate than for this moment. She being the bug - hitting solid resistance and splattering herself against it. Metal against flesh, durosteel against bone with only a leather safety strap as buffer- it was no contest. And the discomfort of being pummelled about inside a large tin can was only equalled by the indignity of being hauled out head-first like a sack of meale by Lahakka.

She'd escaped with small injuries - none incapacitating, which was a credit to the durability of the Alliance vessell. She looked much better than she felt. A long gash ran down her right arm, which was bleeding generously and her stomach was still reeling from the horrendous g-forces that had made her pray for sudden-death. Did the bugs ever get to pray?

The Wookie placed her gently on the ground. Estelle caught Kazaar's inquiring look and gave him an assuring nod. It was all she could manage for the moment. Lahakka tore off the shredded part of her shirt sleeve and fashioned a snug tournequet above the slice on her arm, communicating with nodding and 'harrorrwing' that it would stop bleeding soon. Estelle was grateful and padded her hand against his woolley shoulder in thanks. His care made her feel better.

"Did you see any more pods come down?" she asked her partner.

Kazaar shook his head. "That dont mean there weren't any, 'kid. Just that I didn't see 'em."

Aurelias struggled up to his feet and scanned their surroundings.

"Cant stay here 'n wait for 'em though. Got ourselves a diplo t'find"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

He looked like something outta some sorta horror-holovid.

Kazaar's face was bruised and battered with a large lump forming along his scalp. His torso, now wrapped inna series of bandages and bacta patches, was missing the top layer of skin on his back. There wasn't really anything in the survival pack which'd count as a shirt (or atleast one that'd fit him) so the former bounty hunter pulled the rain slicker over his arms and back. It'd keep his dry enough while they walked.

His feet, actually both his and Estelle's, were cut from running around the Calamari Cruiser without shoes. That was atleast fixable...the survival packs came with a pair of chromasheath...what the frack were these...slippers?!? Either way...they fit so the Rebels wouldn't hafta worry 'bout cutting their feet anymore on the Trandoshan plain.

Kazaar placed one of th'survival packs on his back, while 'The Kid' did the same. They had 'bout three weeks worth of rations in each o'em, but it shouldn't take too long for 'em t'find a village (with hopefully a spaceport).

'The Kid' was staring atta map of Trandosha, her eyes trying t'figure out where they were.

"Okay...our location beacon says we're here...and...Lorpfan is just over the mountains, then it's gonna be through a desert about five miles. Think the lizardhe-the Trandoshans- will mind if we take a ship from them?"

Kazaar smirked at the 'lizardheads' reference, as Estelle climbed outta the pod.

"It's going to be a few days to get there, but we should do it. You gonna be okay Kazaar?"

His smirk said enough.

He then reached into th'escape pod again and pulled out the small hold-out blaster from the storage pod.

"Can't have 'nough weapons. Let's go."

It was starting t'rain a bit harder now and the trio started walking towards the mountains before 'em.

An hour later, they stopped by the mountain range which rose before them. The former bounty hunter was breathin' hard, his ribs hurtin' real bad. 'The Kid' looked a helluva lot better (and not just 'cause she was a dame) and the Wookie looked like he was at home.

Kazaar breathed a curse and took a swig from his canteen, then bit offa bit of a ration bar. It tasted awful, but beggars couldn't be choosers.

"Kazaar," 'The Kid' stated, pointing up towards the mountains, "That look like a fire to you?"

There were a pack of macrobinoculars in one of th'packs and Estelle used 'em t'focus on the flames.

"There's a shuttle up there," hope was in her voice, then it tempered quickly, "That's what's on fire."

The Rebel Agent took th'macros from 'er hands, then stared up at the flames.

"Yeh...sure is. Awright...shouldn't take too long t'get to it. Let's see if it's one o'ours."

The trio started towards th'remains of the shuttle as the rain continued t'fall.

[Estelle Russard]

By the time they crested the small ridge, half a mile shy of the downed shuttle, the rain had developed to a heavy downpour. The fire had all but been extinguished with only a plume of acrid smoke rising to pinpoint the craft's location.

Estelle was drenched through, the protection provided by the slickers being quickly cancelled out with the activity of climbing. Rain ran down, and in, and through ,and sometimes even up sleeves and gaps of the garment and Russard felt most miserable. A warm fire and a roof over her head would be so wonderful right about now. And Tea. Steaming with lots of sugar...Lahakka's shout pulled her thoughts back to the present.

The Wookie pointed. There were lanterns coming from the North. A winding line of them - 10 atleast - wending their way like a blinking serpent towards the location of the shuttle.

"Imperials?" she asked as water rattatapped off her face, making her squint.

"Or worse" came Kazaar's reply.

Russard stepped briskly to stand up beside her partner. Aurelias was holding his side. Estelle had noticed him favoring it as he trekked ahead of her, but had not realized how much pain Kazaar was likely in. "Are you ok? You look awful, Aurelias" Reaching a hand forward, Estelle lifted the dripping slicker to see blood mingling with the rain as it ran in rose-coloured rivulets down her partners' side. Kazaar brushed her hand away before she could peel back the cover to reveal his back.

"Could be a search party from t' Organa's attack. Could be Trando raiders. Could be slavers"

"Slavers?" Estelle was aghast.

Lahakka growled out what he thought about that. He was not impressed.

"We've got to get to that shuttle, Kazaar. We have to get there before those lights do."

Aurelias tossed her a dubious look before starting off again. "It's gonna be close"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Move!" Kazaar ordered and the trio started inna run. If the diplo was in th'shuttle, they'd need t'grab him quick.

'Course, getting out was gonna be the real trick.

Kazaar's side hurt like hell as he jogged towards the shuttle, but he really didn't have a choice...broken rib or no broken rib.

His mind slipped back to a conversation he'd had with 'The Kid', couple months back.

"Why do you do it?" she'd asked one night over nerf steak cooked just perfect 'nough t'ooze red juice.

The former bounty hunter'd raised a brown eyebrow, "Do what?"

Estelle'd taken a bite of food before answering, "Get hurt so much."

A snort was his response.

"I'm serious Aurelias," 'The Kid' was one of th'few people t'actually call Kazaar by his first name. Most everyone (save for Spenny) tended t'just call him 'Kazaar'. The Rebel Agent didn't really care either way...but it beat being called a 'Chuff-sucking Nerfherder' (which he had been called a few times...and not just by Imps either).

Estelle continued, "You get hurt so much."

Another snort, "Just a couple minor injuries, Kid."

Now 'The Kid' snorted, something which didn't always seem possible with her attitude and kind face.

"I wouldn't call getting a chunk of your arm blown off and breaking your kneecap, minor injuries."

Kazaar'd smirked, "Hey when we were on Selonia I didn't get injured."

"That's because you were recovering from a broken pelvis you got on Corellia!" Estelle'd almost shouted but caught herself. Yelling at her handler wasn't always best.

"Plus Selonia was a milkrun. If every mission entailed us sitting in a den and eating with Selonians, I'd probably never pull my blas-"

"Oh feed me to th'frackin' fish of Naboo, Kid!" Kazaar interupted her, "So I get injured a few times...so what."

The Kid's face showed concern, "I worry at times about you Aurelias..."

"And you can stop right there, Kid. I'm fine...now drop it."

"But-"

"Kid...drop. it."

And so she did.

A splash of water shook the former bounty hunter back to th'present. The trio'd reached the shuttle and some water had sluiced offa one of th'wings and hit Kazaar.

"Check it," his sharp eyes scanned the lanterns coming towards them. They were closer, but the Rebels still might be able t'get out.

Lahakka crawled into the shuttle, then quickly emerged. He shook his head and *churffed*.

Nothing. The diplo wasn't there.

Frack.

Frack!

And now th'lights were gettin' closer.

Kazaar scanned them with his macrobinoculars.

They were a mixture of Trandoshans and Weequays, each armed to th'teeth and striding confidently down the muddy slope. The leader was a tall, brown-skinned Tranny, carrying a concussion rifle in both hands. Strapped to his back, Kazaar could see the hilts of two vibroswords.

But it was the logo which brought him pause. It was a black sun, obscured by a crimson moon.

He swore under his breath.

"We need t'go...Now!"

It was the Crimson Eclipse. A notorious slaving organization who Kazaar'd...irked...during his time as a bounty hunter.

"No argument you two...move!"

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle was all set for beating it out of there. She'd been in the role of captive once before and was in no hurry to be back there. She had made it to the covering shadows of a rocky outcrop in a few quick strides. Lahakka was right behind her.

But Kazaar was lagging back a little and Russard cursed under her breath. What was he waiting for, an invitation to dinner?
Strained seconds passed as the slavers progressed ever closer. She could hear their low voices talking amongst themselves. It was a good sign - their speaking freely meant they had no clue yet as to the rebel presence.

From her left Kazaar reappeared stepping silently from nowhere and Estelle threw him a scowl.

"Left 'em a surprise, kid" he whispered with a wink.

She should have known - Aurelias would inflict damage on he enemy at any opportunity and there was little doubt the slavers would find their trail and reinvestigate the downed shuttle. A couple detonators in the right spot...and the galaxy was a better place for being shy a few less slavers.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

It was Kazaar's delay which saved them all.

As the mines exploded, dispatching their original pursuers, a new sound came to their ears.

A *thrrummp* of some sort. Low, medium in length, and deadly.

The mortar rounds exploded around them, destroying bits of the mountain, showering them with rock. On piece of shrapnel grazed 'The Kid's' leg and she went down...only to rise quickly.

It hadn't hit her too bad, Kazaar noted, as the trio ducked beneath an outcropping. Just a nice cut on th'calf.

Lot better than gettin' a rib injury that was f'sure.

The trio scuttled along the mountainside, their sharp eyes each attempting t'spy the source of the ambush.

It was Lahakka's eyes which caught them first and he *yowled* a challenge.

There were two of them. Both weequays, but only one carried the mortars. The other guarded him with a nasty-looking blaster rifle.

The latter fired two bursts towards the Rebels, 'causing them t'scatter as best as they could...behind rocks, debris, whatever they could find.

Kazaar raised one of 'The Twins' and fired two of his own blasts towards the slavers. The first missed completely (dammit, my frackin' sights are still off!), the other caught the mortar-launcher square in th'chest.

He went down.

Then Lahakka struck.

He leaped from his hiding place, Ryyk blades in either hand. The Wookie diplo (Kazaar was beginning t'think he wasn't just a diplomat) slammed into the Weequay, sending the two tumbling to th'ground.

They didn't have much space, but what they had Lahakka used t'his advantage. He swung one of the blades, first separating the slaver's arm at the elbow, then his head.

The Weequay's headless body fell over the edge of the mountainside.

"Damn," Kazaar smirked and Estelle added her own mummer of appreciation.

Lahakka gave another roar, then kept moving down the mountain.

"Dunno 'bout you, Kid...I'm sure as hell glad he's on our side."

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle "uh,huh'd" her agreement between snatched breaths as she regained the ground beside Kazaar she'd lost by diving for cover from the falling debris.

"Too bad we didn't get them all" she said with feeling.

And by 'we' she meant 'Kazaar' blowing the slavers to peices. Now, the ones left standing were hopping mad and hungry for retribution.

The trio retreated further down the slope, moving efficiently as physically possible, given their injuries. Lahakka offered to carry Aurelias, but the bristly agent's response to that idea was predictable. They came to a halt under a copse of thick trunked trees in order to regroup and formulate their next step.

"If the Bothan is with them, I didn't see him. Do you think they have him at a temporary camp on the other side of the rise?"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Probably in one o'the caves," Kazaar replied with a shake of his head.

He really wanted a cigar 'bout now.

"Best place f'slavers t'work. Last time I ran into these guys they hadda place in a cave on Zolan they were using a buncha them as a network."

That caused Estelle to raise a manicured brown eyebrow.

"You know these guys?"

The former bounty hunter gave a bit of a smirk-smile.

"Ran into them while I was workin' f'Gorgja. They'd kidnapped a girl named Kammi and 'er parents asked me t'find 'em.

"I did."

What Kazaar didn't say was he'd beheaded all of the slavers then shipped their heads to their leaders. Wasn't for 'The Kid' t'know. Not unless she asked or cared.

"These schutta spawns haven't liked me since."

Another smirk-smile.

[Estelle Russard]

She exchanged looks with Lahakka, both she and the wookie drawing the same conclusions as to why Kazaar was so unpopular. The giant just shrugged his woolley shoulders and Estelle drew a breath, deliberately side-stepping the details of what "finding them" meant, for the time being.

"Then I guess it serves us all round if they dont see even a glimpse of you. Old scores will have to be settled some other time.

I say we flank them to the right and try and get out in front of where they've just trekked, while they waste time trying to find our trail in this rain."

She paused for a moment, weighing the best options before continuing.

"I think we should each peel off into 3 different paths, the better to confuse our trail."

[Aurelias Kazaar]

The Wookie grunted his agreement in the plan and Kazaar gave a nod too.

There were four paths available: one led straight up towards a vertical shelf 20 feet up, another went almost straight down, a third sprawled in a winding path through some sort of underbrush, and a fourth went back the way they came.

Lahakka took the straight up path (it fit his claws and tree-climbing abilities). 'The Kid' started down th'winding path and Kazaar took the one which went straight down.

Wasn't th'smartest thing, he thought...taking th'hardest one. But the former bounty hunter was known for his hard-headedness.

Kazaar gingerly took one step at a time, his semi-sandalled feet gripping whatever footholds there were.

The rain continued to pelt the side of the mountain, making the rocks a bit slippery and th'chance of a mudslide possible.

If Kazaar did fall or get caught up in a deluge of mud, he had a small grappling hook he could fire and hope it caught onto something.

He just kinda hoped it didn't come t'that. Dying on a mountain wasn't exactly his idea of fun.

It wasn't that he cared 'bout dying or how his life ended; th'job didn't exactly give him the luxury of pickin' and choosing, but still...

His knee roughly grazed a piece of rock and he cursed as he heard the fabric of his sweatpants rip.

"I swear if I die on this frackin' mountain, I'm coming back as a spectre t'haunt these damn trannies."

It was then Kazaar's ears caught something. A *rumble* from above as a torrent of mud and rocks started pouring from the top of the mountain.

He scowled at the mud slide, as if his flashing black eyes could stop it from coverin' him.

It couldn't.

Kazaar reached behind for his grappling gun, hoping he had 'nough time.

As his body was covered by the mud his foot slipped and he blindly fired his grappling gun towards the rock.

It hit nothing and he started to fall...

***********************************************

Twenty minutes later and the Trandoshans found him lying on a large miniture planteau about 100 feet from the base of the moutain.

The mud had probably kept him from dying, it'd sheltered his body from the rocks and branches within the mudslide.

But Kazaar was in trouble. His bandages'd been torn and his pack was destroyed.

One of the Trannies gave him a drink of water and placed a balm on his blackened ribs.

Then he gave a serpentine smile.

"You won't die here, Kazaar," he said in Basic, as four Crimson Eclipse members lifted him onto a medical sled.

"At least...not yet."

[Estelle Russard]

Moving at a 3-count jog, Estelle made respectable progress towards her objective. The young agent was careful to make each step as light as she could, lifting her feet as spritely as the pace allowed - conserving effort and beggaring the amount of noise she made as she maneuvered over the terrain.

It was not easy going. The rain had made the trail slick, her standard-issue emergency footware had little grip. A turned ankle would be an unacceptable occurence. On the upside, however, the continuing downpour went a long way to muffling the sound of her approach to any ear that may be listening for it.

Estelle mentally recited lessons she'd learned in training in order to keep her mind alert and focused. A stray thought, an undisciplined moment of inattention could be the only mistake the slavers needed her to make. She would not allow that to happen.

She checked her chrono, wiping beads of rainwater off its face with her index finger. Twenty-five minutes since she had split from her companions. Russard did a quick calculation of distance, time and speed - figuring she should have come up on the north side of the shuttle about seven minutes ago, which put her beyond it now and, quite possibly, very close to the Trandoshan's makeshift camp.

She slowed to a creeping walk, moving like a shadow, she advanced. Propping herself against the trunk of a thick Redwood, she lifted her field glasses, clicked on the night-vision scope, and scanned her surroundings.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

It had been Lahakka who caused the mudslide, although it had been accidental.

As the Wookie diplomat climbed his way, almost straight, up towards a ridge above the main road, his sharp eyes spotted a makeshift sandbagged bunker area. It was about ten paces before a large cave with two durasteel doors blocking the entrance.

Just the perfect place for a base t'be hidden.

The big question, the silver-backed Wookie considered as he reached into a small pouch which hung from his scarlet robes, was how many slavers were there?

From the aformentioned pouch, Lahakka pulled two thermal detonators and *churffed*. It would take a perfect throw to destroy the Trandoshans who guarded the area, plus he would have to make sure he didn't destroy too much of the landscape so he could escape unscathed.

Letting out a small *yowl*, the Wookie hurled the first thermal detonator towards the fortification. The Trandoshan guards just happened to see it before it struck the sandbags and bailed from their location.

A loud *explosion* sent debris and mud flying, but also caused the mud around it to start sliding down the mountain. It continued to build, turning into a full-on mudslide.

Lahakka cursed in his native language then leaped over the hole in the mountain. He landed on a rocky perpiece, then pulled his ryyk blades.

Had Kazaar been there he woulda marvelled at the death, the Wookie diplo caused, removing limbs from Trandoshans with such force it sent them flying. The Trannies lay dead and Lahakka continued towards the durasteel doors as quickly as possible.

The doors guarding the cave shot open and a combination of Trandoshans and Weequays poured out...brandishing a variety of weapons.

Lahakka growled a challenge, flashed his ryyk blades, and started towards the oncoming slavers.

[Estelle Russard]

A red glow plumed skyward, and a dark turbulent cloud of mud and debris rose with it before gravity pulled it haphazardly to tumble again to the ground. From where she stood, Estelle swore as she saw it, then bolted forward to join the fray.

She was brought up short, however, as she heard Kazaar's familar voice heaping out insults and curses on his captors. The benefit of his bile was for her sake, she had no doubt. Hers and Lahakka's. It was meant as a warning to them, to stop them from blundering into the overwhelming numbers of the slaver camp. Full frontal assalt was not going to carry the day in this one she realised, not a moment too soon. She crouched in the shadows and looked for the Wookie.

She was not long in finding him. In fact, she heard him long before she saw him - his distictive yowling unmistakable. A large crowd of Trandoshan's were knotted around his giant frame, buffeting Lahakka with blows and punches while his great paws were bound tightly in durasteel cuffs.

Well, this is just great Estelle thought sourly.

Who's gonna rescue the rescue mission..

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar continued his rant as th'slavers brought him up to th'base of the mountain towards their base near the cave entrance. His curses ranged from saying what the Trannies moms shoulda done t'them in their eggs to what he'd do to their limbs if they let 'im go. The slavers cackled at his ranting and raving...he was a human who was gonna die if they didn't fix his ribs. What could he do t'them? Either way, the slavers took Kazaar's blasters without much hesitation. Who wanted t'tempt fate.

Pain was apparent in his black eyes as the medical sled he lay on was jostled by a careless slaver, but there was a furious venom behind them as well. Sure the Rebel Spy was hurt, but dammit if he wasn't gonna kill 'em all once he got free. 'Sides, he had a couple aces up his tattered jacket sleeve they didn't know 'bout. When he saw the Wookie in binders, Kazaar's eyes narrowed even further.

"How th'frack did you get captured," he gave a sideways glance towards the wookie diplo.

Lahakka let out a string of *grunts* and *growls*.

"That was you?!?" Kazaar coulda punched him, "Oh thanks, ya walkin' fracking carpet. What th'hell didja think you were doin'? Coverin' my escape?"

A *whine* from the Wookie.

"Yeh. Yeh. Sith happens. So what? Ya want a frackin' medal f'organizing this meet'n greet? Forget it. I ain't interested."

Lahakka's growl was cut off as a large Trandoshan with leathery, spotted skin smacked the Wookie in the back, sending him to his knees. Kazaar protested in his unique way and was dumped from the sled. As he tried t'raise to his knees, Kazaar coughed up blood.

"I would keep yourself silent if I were you, Mister Kazaar," a shorter Trandoshan, clad in various leathers stated in pretty decent Basic, "After all, you wouldn't want to die before we sold you?"

"What th'frack are ya talking 'bout," a scowl emblazened itself on the former bounty hunter's face, although he had a pretty good idea what this son of a bitch was gettin' at.

The entire gatherin' of Trandoshans and Weequay slavers started laughing in various tones and paces.

"Why simple, Kazaar," the lead Crimson Eclipse slaver laughingly continued, "We're selling you, the Wookie, and a Bothan we found running around here for creds.

"I figure it's the best solution to our problem..."

"What problem?" a cold pit started forming in the bound Kazaar's stomach.

"Why it's simple. You cost us a slaving contract once (http://www.sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16389)," the Tranny smiled, "What better way to pay it back in full by selling you to the highest bidder?"

The laughing continued until Kazaar spat in the Tranny's face. There was a multitude of hisses and growls as Kazaar was kicked and pounded by fists and feet.

"ENOUGH!" The Trandoshan hissed, "Take him away! The Wookie too. We'll get plenty of creds for their pathetic carcasses."

The two were hauled into th'cave, Kazaar more drug than carried, and throw into a dark cell. They were left alone until coughing was heard from a blanketted heap near their location.

They weren't as alone as they thought.

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle had drawn back to the shadows to give herself some thinking room and to take stock of her options, which were pitifully few.

The one advantage she had at present, was that, unlike her partner, she had not been aprehended. She stifled that unhelpful thought as best she could. Ok, the one advantage she had at present was...the slavers did not know she was there. They were unaware of her existance and therefore not expecting her.

Yes, it was slim, but the Alliance had always trained their agents for 'slim'.

She decided she would let the furore of the recent assault on the camp, and the consequent capturing of her friends, settle down. Let the Trandos get good and drunk and sleepy, hopefully diminishing the number she might run into as she entered the cave. And enter she would - there was nothing else for it.

With any luck, Aurelias and Lahakka may atleast get some idea of where their original charge was being kept.

Estelle checked her meagre cache of weapons - one 22T4 Blaster and a knife.

Slim, defintely slim.

But, for tonigh'ts job, it was going to be plenty.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

The wookie diplomat went t'check on the coughin' pile of clothing, while Kazaaar spent a minute catching his breath. He'd been beaten pretty bad, but he could still fight, still survive. Just not sure how long he could. 'Specially if that damn Tranny decided t'punch him with his claws extended, cripes that frackin' hurt.

"So who izzit?" the Rebel Agent finally asked. Whoever it was, they didn't look good.

Lahakka gave a couple *grunts* and *chuffs* in reply.

"You gotta be frackin' kidding me...It's th'other diplo?"

The 'other diplo' gave a groan and rolled over onto its back. He was a Bothan male and smelled pretty bad. Like wet fur that'd been doused in some kinda solvent t'keep from rotting.

The 'diplo''s voice pretty much sounded like he looked, "I...*wheeze*...am...Y-*the Bothan started t'cough*..Yurva Telan'lya of *wheeze* the Rebellion. Is that...you, Lahakka?"

Lahakka made a couple *churffs* and *whines* of concerns at th'Bothan's condition. He spent a couple moments inspectin' Yurva's wounds, including a pretty large one across the Bothan's hairy skull. If there was one thing Kazaar knew...it was that Yurva prolly wasn't gonna make it.

Kazaar had never been a big fan of th'Bothans, they were pretty much jerks and let ya knew how 'vaunted' their spy program was. But they fought pretty damn hard so he had respect for 'em.

"It *wheeze* is good...to...see you, my friend," Yurva gasped, as Lahakka held him, "I've...been...h-here for...several hours, I think. They...found me *gasp-wheeze* when...I-I...crashed."

A small, painful smile came to the Bothan's face, "They...don't know...who I am. *Cough* *Cough*. But...they still haven't...treated me well..." The smile faded as the Bothan passed out.

Lahakka came back to Kazaar who'd just wiped sweat away from his face. The wookie let out a *whine* and Kazaar nodded.

"Yeh...he ain't gonna make it."

The two sat in silence for a bit, until a Weequay opened th'door to the cell. Lahakka let out a *roar* but Kazaar put a hand on th'wookie diplo and shook his head. Not yet.

"We're here for you, Kazaar," the Weequay spoke, "It's time...for your treatment."

[Estelle Russard]

A handful of slavers had been milling around the cave entrance. Seven or eight, it was hard to tell exactly because they kept shuffling about, talking to each other, entering the mouth of the cave, coming back out again. Now standing, now sitting. They were obviously bored and had little to do for the time being. Seems they'd drawn the second shift to hang about uselessly while their companions were either inside with the prisoners, or grubbing down some chow.

The majority of the debris from the mudslide remained where it was, the exception being a clearing right infront of the base entrance. It looked to Estelle like the slavers weren't planning to stick around for long, so why bother restoring order.

Estelle was getting restless. Too much time was going by with her inactive. She checked her chrono. Fifty three seconds since she'd looked at it the last time.. When she looked back up, the doorway crowd had shrunk to two. Something had drawn the rest inside - the promise of another good prisoner beating to watch.

Time to move.

Moving forward in a crouching run, Russard maneuvered without being seen to come along side of the cave. Her knife held between firm fingers, she threw it with lethal accuracy to strike the trando furtherest from her in the throat. As he dropped straight down to his knees gurgling, his partner spun round, turning right into Estelle's practiced grip and with one sharp 'twist' the rebel agent snapped his neck.

A hop over the dead slaver, she bent to retrieve her knife from the other's throat, wiping its sticky blade on the dead man's sleeve, and then crept deftly into the cave interior.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Treatment...great," Kazaar replied, not bothering t'move from his seat in th'cell, "Ain't really interested in ya kinda treatment."

The Weequay took a step towards the open cell door. He was staying just outta reach from either Kazaar or Lahakka. Pretty smart move, Kazaar figured. He sure as hell wasn't interested in gettin' near a Wookie, healthy or not.

"Your treatment is exactly that, Kazaar. A bath in kolto. We've been instructed to at least get you healthy enough to be sold," there was a small grin on the Weequay's wrinkled face, "What happens after you come out of the tank is...up in the air."

Even in his injured state, the former bounty hunter snorted and didn't move. Kolto was nice, but it sure as hell wasn't bacta. That stuff tasted even worse.

"Come on, Kazaar," The Weequay was now almost at the entrance to th'cell, "Don't be a fool. If you behave it will only increase the chances of getting a nice place to work for.

"Maybe even Kimiiki Crei."

At the name of the 'Velvet Crimelord', Kazaar spat out an oath, "Like I'm interested in working f'that chuffsucking rat bastard. Why don'cha go grab ya pals and drag me outta here. I ain't gonna move ya frackin' bishwag."

The Weequay's grin became larger and he was now at the door to th'cell. There were two other guards, one waiting outside the entrance t'the prison area and the other sitting onna chair by a table near th'door. They were just far enough away where Kazaar could make a move and prolly kill the Weequay before they got their blasters out. 'Course that would be if they were actually gonna sell 'im for creds. If not, then he was pretty much dead all ready.

Ah hell, Kazaar made his choice, who wants t'fracking live forever anyway?

He launched himself from his seat, a closed fist heading towards th'Weequay's jaw. It connected, but Kazaar's strength wasn't what it normally was. As the guard fell backwards, he grasped Kazaar's torn tanktop and pulled. The two fell outta the cell, hands grasping at the other. At some point during their struggle two things happened: the door to th'cell was kicked closed (and automatically locked) and Kazaar was thown into th'table where the other guard was.

Had he been at full strength it wouldn't've been much of a fight. But Kazaar was weak and the element was surprise had failed 'im (for once). He was beaten, then dragged outta th'prison towards the kolto tank area.

Meanwhile, Lahakka stared at th'vibroblade Kazaar'd kicked into th'cell. His massive, wooly arm reached out, grasped it, then hid it somewhere in his robes. He'd hafta wait until the guards brought back Kazaar and then he'd act.

[Estelle Russard]

Disappointed that seeing a beating was to be denied them, the group of slavers lingered sullenly in the corridor outside of Lahakka's cell. With the despised Kazaar dragged off to the healing tank, the Trando's turned their lust for violence toward the Wookie within. But none was willing to be the first through the door.

A Wookie's strength was legendary and quite frightful. To be grabbed up by one when his wrath was up would not make for an attractive corpse. The death wouldn't be all that pretty, either.

A few of the slavers melted off to head back down toward the base entrance, preferring to gripe about their loss under the open sky, than endure the stench of their fellows in such close confines.

Estelle encountered the first pair, their heads down and shuffling along in grousing discontent, and fired off two blaster shots in quick succession. The bolts hit chest-level and knocked the two Trandos off their toes. Behind them a third slaver looked up, staring like a wampa in the spotlight. A bolt exploded his head for him.

A rise of voices - anxious and very angry - reached Russard from further up the corridor. Everyone knew the sound of blaster fire when they heard it, and these slavers more than anyone. She crouched to run deft fingers over the fallen slavers weapons belts, finding what she wanted on the third. Two clip detonators, one of which she pocketed. The other she activated and tossed far ahead of her into the gloom.

Lighting in these underground base setups was usually quite poor. The caged covered lights that lined the upper part of the hallways were usually run from a small generator and were wired to use the least amount of juice as possible. Here was no different.

The knot of Crimson Eclipse changed from designes on their captive Wookie, to the intruder shooting at them down the corridor and without a breath's pause, weapons were drawn and the slavers rushed forward as a group.

If Estelle's timing was good, the detonator should blast in three...two...one

BOOM!

....right beneath the snarling, gun and knife brandishing, heavy stomping of the oncoming slaver fury.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

The compound walls shook as the detonators exploded, causing Kazaar t'stumble into one of the weequays hustlin' him towards the kolo tanks. His hands were free, the slavers figuring in his weakened state there was no way he could be dangerous.

"What th'frack was that?" his guttural voice asked, feigning ignorance. He had a pretty good feelin' what was going on and 'er name was 'Estelle Russard'.

The two Weequays shared looks which basically said th'same thing. What th'frack was going on? They never got the chance t'find out. Kazaar moved quickly, his hands shooting out and grasping the leathery aliens by their seclusion braids (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Seclusion_Braids). He yanked hard on 'em, forcing the two Weequays t'stare up at the ceiling. Kazaar kicked the Weequay to his right in th'knee and smashed the other in the throat with a chop. Both Weequays lost their balance and fell towards th'ground, the latter clutching his throat in agony. Kazaar stomped both of 'em in the face, not stopping until his feet were red with th'blood of his enemies.

He breathed deeply, lungs screamin' in agony. It fracking hurt. Pretty much worse than anything he'd ever felt before. Kazaar'd been beaten pretty hard in th'past, destroyed both mentally and physically, but this was bad. Really bad.

Kazaar took a step forward then felt his legs give way and saw th'ground rush to t'meet his face. He landed with a bit of a bounce and didn't move for a while.

He started crawling towards the explosions muttering, "There's no frackin' way I'm gonna die on this planet."

*********************************

When Lahakka heard the explosions he set t'work on the cell door's lock with his vibroblade. Sparks flew off th'bolt as the Wookie sawed his way through, throwing up a brilliant light which half-blinded the diplo. The bolt gave way and the door opened. Lahakka turned towards his Bothan collegue, murmmured encouragement, and fled the cell. Two Trannies standin' outside th'prison area were quickly dispatched by th'Wookie.

A *HOWL* resonated through th'complex and the enraged Wookie charged into th'din.

[Estelle Russard]

It was like a battle horn sounding a call to arms as Lahakka's howl echoed the length of the base. And all responded in kind, resulting in a general swarming forward of combatants in the direction of its origin.

If Lahakka was yeowling, one thing was for certain - Estelle was not too late, for the Wookie at least.

Her blaster levelled in front of her, the young rebel bolted forward, passing the open cell door, unaware of the shrouded frame of the Bothan within.

She reached Lahakka in time to shoot down a charging weequay weilding a battleaxe, intent on separating the Wookie from his head. She stepped over a pile of slavers that Lahakka had already dispatched, shapes broken and twisted in gruesome fashion.

"Kazaar?" she said looking around for her partner.

Lahakka whined and shook his woolley frame.

"Well, he's not back that way" she gestured the way she'd just come. "Did you find the Bothan?"

Lahakka nodded and whimpered pointing back toward the cell - the Diplomat was in poor shape it seemed.

"Go back and get him and wait for us at the entrance" she said crisply. "If we arent there in ten, you must leave"

Lahakka howled and shook his head, not liking the plan much.

"We will be there, its Kazaar remember? He wont like you saving the Diplo without him"

"Arrooowwl" Lahakka couldnt argue that. A brisk wookie-hug for luck, and Lahakka lumbered off.

Russard took out the second detonator from her pocket and held it in her hand. It was going to get dodgey from here on in.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar'd finally stopped crawling, his arms and legs to tired t'continue. They hurt like hell too...hell, his entire fracking body hurt like hell. And it wasn't th'kinda pain ya have after ya work out or spend th'night with some chick and go ten rounds. No...this was physical pain he hadn't experienced inna while. And it sucked.

He rested his back onna wall and just sat there for a couple minutes. 'The Kid' had done her job pretty well, causing all sorts of chaos 'round the compound. Crimson Eclipse slavers were running 'round like Ewoks with their heads chopped off. One of them happened into th'corridor Kazaar was in and was cut down by a blaster the Rebel held. He searched the slavers' body and pulled out the PSU. It'd protect 'im a bit if any other surprises came.

Which of course they did. Three slavers: a Trandoshan, a Weequay, and a Rodian (who looked really outta place here f'some fracking reason) barreled down th'corridor, blasters raised. They let loose a hail of blaster fire, which spakked up rock and duracrete all 'round the former bounty hunter. Two bolts hit Kazaar on th'right side of his chest. The shield absorbed most of it but there'd be large welts on his chest forra couple weeks. Cooly, Kazaar returned fired and the three slavers were no more.

Another Tranny came outta the gloom. It was the leather-clad one from earlier, th'one who swore he'd sell Kazaar. The two stared at each other, their eyes: Kazaar's black and the Tranny's lizard-like, in hatred and rage. The gaze caught for what seemed like an eternity and Kazaar pulled his trigger.

Nothing. No blaster shots. He was outta amma.

The Trandoshan slaver's mouth twisted into an ugly smile and he took a step towards the former bounty hunter. Then he stopped suddenly as the sound of laughter filled the hallway.

Kazaar was laughing. It was a low, throbbin' sound...like a motor *chugging*. The slaver was incredulous. What the hell was this schuttascum laughing for? He was gonna be killed soon.

"What's so funny, Kazaar," the slaver demanded, "Why are you laughing?"

But the bodyguard wouldn't answer and only kept up his laughter.

The Tranny was incensed, "I'll kill you, Kazaar! You're gonna be dead! Frack selling you, ya lowly hunter. You're gonna be dead!"

The threats only made Kazaar laugh even harder. Then th'Tranny took a step towards him.

[Estelle Russard]

The instant he'd moved, the Trando slaver knew he'd stepped in the wrong direction. He'd got that sense that let a person know, without a doubt, that something was behind them--was coming right at them--even though they'd heard nothing to suggest its presence.

The Tranny realised that same instant, also, just what Kazaar had found so amusing. He knew what was so funny and why the hard dark eyes of the bounty hunter were dancing as they looked at him. It wasnt Kazaar that was about to be killed.

The battleaxe, lately the possession of the aforementioned weequay who would now no longer be needing it, connected just as the Trandoshan twisted around to look behind him. Estelle's arm shuddered at the impact it made into the slaver's chest. It was an unfortunate twist.

Instead of the axe coming right down to bite into the Tranny's neck, making a quick end to him, it had been semi-deflected by a last second upraised arm and had instead buried its head lower down. The wound would be mortal, but it would take some time.

The slaver howled in outrage as he stumbled back, but managing to keep his feet, he raised his blaster in Russard's direction.

Kazaar got his feet beneath him and plunged forward, tackling the Trandoshan head-first in the breadbasket, felling them both to the floor. A silver knife appeared in Kazaar's hand and he thrust it with force into the Tranny's throat. Kazaar rested on the Trandoshan's chest, watching in unhurried enjoyment as the fire in the slaver's eyes dimmed, then extinguished altogether.

Estelle watched on until Aurelias rolled himself off and staggered to his feet.

"Well, that was ugly" she observed, a little sick in the stomach.

She then took in the state of her partner, who looked awful and not to steady on his feet - and rushed forward to help hold him upright.

"You going to be able to make it to the entrance, or shall I piggy-back you?"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar smirked wearily, "'Bout frackin' time ya go here, Kid."

Estelle shot daggers with 'er eyes and it only 'caused her partner's smirk t'get larger. She was so frackin' easy. When Estelle saw the look in his eyes, she realized he was only teasing.

"I can make it," Kazaar started waving her off, keeping his right arm near his ribs. Something had 'shifted' again there and Kazaar didn't like it. He took two steps and felt a knee start t'give out.

"All right, all right...ya wanna give me a hand 'ere, I won't stop ya," Kazaar's gruff voice was strained and his face was pinched inna grimace.

The trip to th'base's entrance was pretty quickly, all things considered. And what was even better, th'fact Lahakka had not only found a skiff (with a rather large red blotch covering most of th'deck but also...

"Our gear," Kazaar grinned at 'The Twins', "Where'd ya come up with this stuff?"

A series of *grunts* and one long *howl*

"So they hadn't divvied our stuff up? Frackin' lazy-assed slavers," Kazaar rested himself against th'railed edge of the skiff. The storm'd cleared and now the stars were out.

"So..." Estelle asked th'question on everyone's mind, "How are we getting off this rock?"

It was a pretty legit question, something Kazaar had t'think 'bout for a couple minutes. "We're still 'bout five miles outta Lorphan. Think ya dad'll mind if he buys us a ship?"

Kazaar smirked.

[Estelle Russard]

"He wont mind" Estelle replied, her mind already moving off. She turned back in the direction of the cave entrance. "Should we destroy the whole base, do you think? I dont think we got all the slavers."

Lahakka whined his impatience to be off, gesturing towards the blanketed form shivering in the bottom of the skiff.

The two rebels exchanged a glance. It would be a trade-off either way, a sacrifice of one or the other. The Bothan Diplomat might not last to Lorphan, but a delay to destroy the Crimson Eclipse remnant still in the hideout could make all the difference to his chances.

"Stick to t'job you've been sent t'do, kid. Them's t'rules"

It was a hard choice, but there would always be slaver-bases to destroy. There was only the one Bothan Diplomat they were charged to bring home safely.

The Wookie howled, impatient.

"Ok, ok. Lorphan it is" and Estelle clambered aboard, assisting Aurelias into the skiff with her.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

The trip to Lorpfan didn't take too long, but grabbing a ship would. Kazaar was in no state t'be walking 'round those streets, especially if there were more Crimson Eclipse slavers walking about.

"Leave me'n the Bothan 'ere," Kazaar hadn't moved from his position on the skiff's rail, "Head into town and buy us a ship. No arguin' with me, too many questions be raise 'bout a beat up, bleedin' guy trying t'get the hell off planet.

"'Sides, someone's gotta keep th'diplo alive."

Lahakka gave a *growl*.

"Oh relax, ya fuzzball, I ain't gonna let anything happen t'im. 'Sides, no one's gonna frack me with. They do," Kazaar put his fingers together in th'shape of a blaster and pulled an imaginary trigger.

"What do we do about him?" 'The Kid' asked 'bout the Wookie. She had an idea, but Estelle didn't want t'speak it just yet. Chances were, her partner was thinking th'same thing.

He was, "Just say he's either ya bodyguard or ya slave. Hell both, I don't givva frack. Just getta ship and get us th'frack off planet."

Lahakka again *growled* but then gave a *chuff*. His ryyk blades glinted along his back as he jumped off th'skiff then waited for 'The Kid' t'join 'im.

[Estelle Russard]

Close to heel behind Lahakka, Russard had left Kazaar with a strict admonishon to not start any trouble. He was to lay low as she was in no mood to come rescue him again.

Lahakka had found that quite funny and had ruffled Kazaar's hair in parting, adding to the ex-bounty hunter's chagrin. Aurelias had been shouting something after them, but the pair had been beyond earshot. Estelle had no doubt she was better for the not hearing - her repitoire of cuss-words and expletives had grown quite amply since associating so regularly with her partner.

The Wookie pushed an erstwhile Rodian out of their path, plowing right on past the short green alien as he tried to sell them spare droid parts. They had entered Little Eisley, a nickname given to the open- air market by the locals. Named after Mos Eisley, a well known hive of scum and villany, Little Eisley was also a place for deals and exchanges of a nefarious nature. Slaves could be bought or sold here, bounty's realised, enemies erased...and all with a minimum of eyebrow-raising or question-asking. It was also a very chancey place for newcomers, and the guise of slave/body guard that Lahakka had taken on was never more appropriate, or necessary, than here. Another hefty cuff of his arm sent a Dug flying off in the opposite direction, his protesting form cartwheeling off into the night. The market was alive with trade day and night, and strangely enough, the Wookie seemed to know exactly what section to head to. Estelle conjectured that Diplomacy had not always been her wookie friend's occupation of choice.

Careful to never be more than a step behind Lahakka, Russard followed him into the heart of the market to where ships were sold or traded. Tonight there was 5 to choose from, and one in particular caught the young rebel's eye.

"What about that one?" she said to Lahakka quietly as she came round to stand beside him. He nodded slightly, indicating he heard her, then headed in the opposite direction to a ship neither of them had any intention on buying.

And the 'sell' was on.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Lah...Lahakka!" the Bothan diplomat, Yurva Telan'lya, screamed comin' outta his delirium. Gingerly, Kazaar slid his way over t'the Rebel diplomat and sat down next t'him. The former bounty hunter's ribs screamed in agony and Kazaar winced.

"Relax, pal. Ya got busted up pretty good back there." Hell, I got busted up pretty good back there, Kazaar thought ruefully. "Gonna take a bit for ya t'get back up'n running."

Yurva coughed, tryin' t'get his breath, "No..*cough*...time," he reached into somewhere in his rags, "Must...to Belargic...in-formation...*wheeze*...trust...no one..."

The Bothan gurgled for a minute before passing out again.

Kazaar cursed, then placed a bacta patch on both his ribs and Yurva's head. A tingly-coolness came over his chest and Kazaar smirked.

'Least th'bacta still frackin' worked.

****************************************
Little Eisley

A Gran, decked inna black tunic and pants of a reddish-color, hustled up
to the customer and her Wookie companion. A beaded necklace adorned his neck and a wide sash went across his medium-sized waist. Behind him a smaller Gran followed, obviously his subordinate.

"Greetings," his Basic was more than passable, "I am Twi How. Are you interested in purchasing a ship? Or perhaps renting one?"

His goat-like snout twitch in a very ugly smile, "I have only five right now, as you can see. But there are good rates on them all."

[Estelle Russard]

Lahakka raised to his full height and sniffed at Twi How, who stepped back a pace eager to not seem too pushy. His eyes darted from the Wookie to Estelle and, shrewdly, decided the smaller female human was safer to approach.

Estelle, for her part, played things as cool as she could and tempered Lahakka's defensive reaction with one of polite inquiry. "We are interested in buying and are not looking for such a bargain as to be sold anything remotely defective."

"Oh, no, no. Twi How takes pride in all transactions and if you ask around, you will find Im an honest trader" the Gran replied. His species were known to be of the more peaceful persuasion, and Russard counted it a fortunate turn that they should deal with him.

For a few moments, she feigned interest in a YT-2400, but then allowed Twi How to steer her to a Corellian-made KR-TB modified freighter, or Doomtreader to use the more common layman term.

"She has slave-circuitry" Twi How explained, refusing to allow any of his three eyes to look at Lahakka when using the term, just in case.. "which runs off advanced intelligence systems which allow her to almost think for herself. Her engines are large, which makes her fast," the Gran's eyes sparkled at this, clearly warming up to his subject, "and besides standard weaponry, she carries solar ionization cannons which can bypass deflector sheilds and melt durasteel. Very effective."

They boarded the Doomtreader and the Gran continued his description. "She can be piloted by a crew of 1, which is remarkable for such a large vessel - Im sure you agree." Estelle did agree and nodded accordingly.

"Price?" she asked pointedly.

Twi How blinked his eyes in unison, he hadn't quite finished his pitch. Lahakka crowded him, the wookie's large frame seeming even more enormous in the confined cockpit, and Twi How, quite wisely, suggested a fair price.

Estelle did not bother bartering him down. The ship was perfect, and should there be any trouble with it, she knew where to find the Gran, as he would be coming with them.

"A short journey, Mr. Twi How" Estelle explained. "Besides, I'll need you to show me how everything works." She guided him to sit in the pilot seat and the Gran, having little choice to comply or wrastle with Lahakka, chose obedience.

"We'll have you back home in no time" Estelle said with a saintly smile.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Why, erm, of course," the Gran attempted a smile as he sat in the pilot's chair. His assistant had followed them into the ship and he waved him back to the lot. "Tell any customers I'll return shortly."

The assistant scurried off the ship and Twi continued talking. It tended to calm his nerves, especially when he had a seven-foot-tall Wookie standing over him.

"The ship used to belong to a Mandalorian bounty hunter (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Montross) who was killed before the Clone Wars. Or at least so I'm told," his Basic was an odd-mix of Coruscanti and Gran accent. There was a very small *lurch* as th'ship took off from the lot. But it was a pretty smooth takeoff.

"Head out this way," his customer pointed towards the southern portion of the city and Twi complied. Customer was always right after all.

"I changed some of the interior," he continued to explain the ship (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Hell%27s_Anvil), "There were several...ummm...holding areas it seemed. I made three into guest areas and the last two, I made into one room.

"They can easily be converted back...if you wish," Twi paused as he spied a skiff waiting for them on the outside of the city. Two people appeared to rest on it, both of them in pretty bad shape. In fact, one of them looked almost familiar...

The ship landed and the trio exited into the hot desert.

"Yurva?" the merchant's voice suddenly turned nervous, "What are you doing here?"

He ran up quickly to the Bothan diplomat, who'd appeared t'take a turn for the worse, "By the goddess, Doellin, what happened to him? How did he get here?"

Twi's three eyes turned towards 'The Kid' and they narrowed, "Who are you?"

[Estelle Russard]

Kazaar stuck one of his pearl-handled pistols in the Gran's face, "We'll be askin' the questions around here, pal."

He quizzled a frown at Estelle and Lahakka, "Who is this?" Kazaar did not sound happy for the extra company.

Lahakka tilted a non-commital head, avoiding eye contact with Kazaar, and side-stepped the issue completely by reaching into the skiff to check on his Bothan friend. The wookie whimpered sadly - Yurva was not doing very well.

"He sold us the ship" Russard explained, "What do you think?"

By her chipper tone, Kazaar deduced she was rather proud of her acquisition. "Looks 'slright" he said, slow to offer too much praise - didn't want the kid thinkin she was the hero of the<i> entire</i> operation.

"We had no trouble while we were waitin" Kazaar said, "If anyone cares. But the Bothan needs (he winced as he tried to lift himself from the skiff) patchin' up bad"

"He's not the only one" Estelle touched her partner's ribs lightly and Kazaar grimaced. "Lets get aboard and we can continue our introductions inside"

Slung like a soggy rag between the shoulders of Russard and the Gran trader, Aurelias was brought aboard the former fellow bounty-hunter's ship and settled into one of the converted guest quarters.


****************************


"I first met Yurva on Malastare" Twi How explained to the trio.

"It was on one of his first delegations to the planet. I was running a used speeder shop and Twi had wanted a personal transport for the duration of his stay."

How took the glass of cherry tea Estelle handed him, and sipped it carefully so not to burn his lips. "I gave him a fair deal, and he kept coming back for suggestions on where to go, what to see, you know the like. We struck a friendship and have kept contact over the years. Though," Twi How looked over at the failing Bothan with sad eyes, "Im sorry to say, it had not been as frequent as it used to be." He put down the steaming tea. "Who did this to him? How could this happen?"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Crimson Eclipse got to 'em," Kazaar's guttural voice came from th'bed and started t'raise himself up. Kazaar was bare-chested and almost mummy-like, given how Lahakka'd taped up his ribs. Another large bandage ran from his forehead t'his left ear and his right arm was inna sling. 'The Kid' started t'complain 'bout him even being up, but was waved off.

The Gran's eyes widened when Kazaar mentioned the slaving organization, "How did you find him?"

The Rebel spy didn't miss a beat, "Accident really. Shuttle got caught inna fight between th'Imps and th'Rebs. Went down in th'mountains and the shuttaspawns got us."

"Got you, you mean," Estelle interupted with a small smile on 'er face.

"Yeh yeh," Kazaar waved 'er off again, while Lahakka strode into the adjoining room t'check on the Bothan, "Found him in th'back and figured it'd be best t'get outta there."

"So he didn't say what he was doing on Trandosha?" the Gran asked inquisitively. It wasn't that he didn't trust the trio, but it did seem a little convenient they were 'in th'area'. But there was no way t'fake the injuries the large, muscular human had, so he figured they were probably on the level. Or at least more on the level than not.

"Guy's been in that state since I found 'im. Why?"

Twi only shrugged, took a sip of his tea, then rubbed some of th'condensation off on his sash. "No reason. Yurva was always secretive and careful about what he did. I'm rather surprised he was captured.

"This is excellent tea, by the way."

'The Kid' smiled at th'compliment and Twi continued t'speak, "We do need to figure out payment on this ship, if you wish to have it. Since you rescued my friend, I'm willing to waive the fee I usually get for erasing the previous owner's history.

"It'd essentially be a brand-new ship. Would you be interested in it?"

[Estelle Russard]

"Payment is no problem" Estelle responded with minimal detail. "Give us an account number and we can have the credits there within the hour"

She smiled, her attempt at hiding the excitement of actually owning her own vehicle was not lost on her companions. Her enthusiasm did much to help lift the mood.

"Do I get to re-name her...or is that bad luck?"

She looked to Kazaar for the answer, his opinion carrying more weight than the others combined.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Up t'you, Kid," Kazaar knew Estelle would want t'leave her own stamp on the ship, "When I got The Dutchman it was brand new so I didn't hafta worry 'bout keepin' th'old name. Which reminds me...what th'hell was this ship called anyway?"

Twi took another sip of his tea and wiped his goat-like snout with a napkin, "Hell's Anvil. But if you do rename her, there is a ceremony which will have to be done. A way of purging the old 'essence' so to speak."

Kazaar gave a snort at th'Gran's last comment (who gave a mynock's wing 'bout ceremonies) then turned t'Estelle, "So Kid. What's it gonna be?"

[Estelle Russard]

She creased her brow at Kazaar - even if he didn't care about such things, Estelle was eager to hear them.

"I'd like to hear about the ceremony Twi" she encouraged the Gran. "Does it involve making some sort of blood sacrifice?" She hadn't taken her eyes from Kazaar, pointedly evaluating him as a possible offering.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar smirked and shook his head. Dames. Th'more ya think ya know 'em, the more they frackin' surprise ya.

Twi finished off his tea, before explaining the entire ceremony.

"It really depends on if you believe in a 'god' or not. The ceremony I know (and have used plenty of times) involves invoking the name of the 'space god' you believe in, asking him or her to expunge all memories of the old ship, then pouring out a quarter of a bottle of champagne (at this point Kazaar made some sorta gagging sound at th'loss of alcohol, but both Gran and Human ignored it) through each airlock, which I might mention isn't as tough as it sounds, and beg the gods to watch over your newly named vessel.

"It is then the ceremony is complete and you can start calling you ship by his/her new name," the Gran finished with a smile, before letting it fade.

"I do recommend we see to Yurva first, although I'm not sure if he'll make it. It is bad portents to begin any sort of ceremony when someone is dying aboa--"

A *clatter* came from the entranceway as Lahakka the Wookie suddenly burst into th'door. He *howled* and *grunted* in hurrid tones and everyone had a pretty good feelin' what was up.

Yurva was dyin' and asking t'see everyone. 'The Kid' and Twi made it back to where the Rebel Bothan lay, his eyes sallow, and his body almost limp. His hair was matted and bloodied and his breaths came out in gasps.

The Bothan gave as best a smile as he could when all were around him, pleasently surprised t'see his old merchant friend, Twi How, there as well.

"I...*cough*...will not...make it....my...friends," Yurva paused t'catch his breath, "Twi...it...is...good to see you..."

The Grannish merchant smile was toothy and he held Yurva's hand.

"What I have for...you," the diplo turned towards the Rebels, "Is...important..."

He fumbled in his rags f'something and Estelle reached out to help only t'be shooed away by a 'look' from Yurva. Even in his pain, the Bothan still had his pride.

But it was in her hand, the dying Bothan placed the small holochip, before lay back.

His dying words were simple.

"There is a traitor. In the Alliance."

[Estelle Russard]

Looks passed between the rebel partners at the revelation and Kazaar, as was typical, kept his thoughts unreadable. Had he suspected it all along?

Estelle found the thought of a traitor extremely disturbing. It made everyone vunerable. And while it was naive to think the Alliance would not have enemies even within its own ranks, to hear it put to words - and with such certainty - from the lips of a dying man was ominous indeed.

Lahakka whimpered beside her and Estelle drew her gaze from Aurelias and back to Yurva. The Bothan had crossed over and Estelle felt overwhelmingly saddened.

Curling the datachip into her balled hand, Russard smeared away a spilling tear from her eye with her fist.

She turned and strode from the room. She would nurse her failure to protect the Diplomat alone at the controls of her new ship.

Changing their course for Coruscant, Estelle would return their fallen friend to his family, stationed on the planet city and would take this information to Director Belargic himself.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar met 'er a few minutes later at the bridge. His side was starting t'hurt agian and he gotta feeling he wasn't gonna be up f'much longer. What th'hell had been broken anyway?

His unwavering black eyes stared at Estelle and his tone was matter-of-fact.

"Ya know, Kid. The diplo's family is prolly on Bothuwai," it wasn't a insult, just a relaying of information, "Ya gonna be all right?"

[Estelle Russard]

"You're right, of course" she said mechanically.

Russard had made the assumption that as she and Kazaar were stationed out of Coruscant, so too was Yurva. Clearly, she was not thinking logically.

"I dont like loosing, Aurelias" she said with feeling.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

A painful *snort* came from Kazaar's lips.

"Ya think I do, Kid?" he grimaced, "I hate frackin' losing. But in this business...survivin' is key. If ya don't survive ya don't get another chance."

His black eyes stared into her brown ones, "Ya did a helluva job back there, Kid...saving our asses," another grimace, "Ain't seen moves like that inna..."

It was then his legs started t'go out. Kazaar started t'lurch towards a chair, but Estelle caught him and eased his injured form into it.

"Hellfire and frackin' brimstone," his curse was weak, "Find out if Three Eyes has some bourbon will ya?"

[Estelle Russard]

33 Hours Later - Legacy Hospital, Drev'starn, Bothawui

Kazaar would be in surgery for another hour yet atleast, and Estelle thought it would be a good time to check in with headquarters again.

This was her partner's second surgery, the first having been done immediately upon their arrival in the Bothawui capitol, his survival having been in the balance.

How the man had managed to continue as long as he had, griping and grousing aside, had been short of miraculous given the extent of his injuries.

Estelle was certain the bourbon Twi How had lavished on Kazaar had not done him any good. But just try telling that to Kazaar or the Gran. It was breath wasted. The two had parted grand friends and Estelle had not been sorry to see Twi heading back homeward.

This second surgery was for his foot. Kazaar had shattered a pin that had already been in position in his ankle from an old injury, and now needed replacing.
He would come out of it all good as new, but as grouchy as a bear with a sore head, Estelle had no doubt. And the news she had to share with him when he woke would do nothing to ease his aggrivation.

A mutual friend was on his way.


Now that she thought of it, she found herself wishing again for Twi How and his bottle of bourbon with him.

[The Black Man]

A *wrawrorowr* caused Estelle to raise her eyes and quickly cover her mouth to conceal her laughter. A Wookie stood in front of her, his fur badly dyed brown, and cut in almost a flattop along his head. He wore an eyepatch over his left eye, but there was no mistaking it was Lahakka, the Wookie diplomat who they'd rescued and subsequently helped them fight their way off of the Crimson Eclipse base.

"Why are you dressed like that?" Russard still tried to stop her laughter, although it was tough.

Lahakka made a couple of *grunts* and *growls* and then the Rebel Agent noticed the man who'd come in with the Wookie.

Estelle'd met 'The Black Man' once, but she'd heard about him from her partner plenty of times. She wasn't sure if she liked him or not, but she knew Kazaar wasn't a big fan.

He looked professional, his body covered in a black business-like suit. He had a goatee and wore horn-rimmed glasses. The goatee was fake, something he'd grabbed after his mission (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16764) on Ord Cantrell. He still wasn't happy about leaving, but when he'd gotten Agent Russard's message about a 'traitor' he had little choice.

He shook hands formally with her, then announced, "Good evening Miss Russard, my name is Liew Wekom. I'll be your guard while Kazaar recovers. This is Yakka. He wanted to see you before he heading to Kashyyyk."

Lahakka/Yakka pulled Estelle into another massive 'wookie-hug', crushing her to his chest. He let go, then pulled out his ryyk blades. The Wookie placed one of the swords in Estelle's hands, her arm muscles clenching as she tried to keep it from falling to the ground. The other he gave to 'The Black Man'.

It was obvious what Lahakka meant by giving the gift. He was honored to have fought with Estelle and Kazaar.

"I'll make sure Kazaar gets this," the head of Rebel Special Ops stated and the Wookie Diplomat gave a *grunt* in reply.

"It's time to go, Miss Russard. Your father said he wanted you to visit Empress Teta. We'll take your ship."

Russard wanted to stay with Kazaar, but 'The Black Man' leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "That is an order, Agent Russard."

So the three left...Estelle and her 'new' bodyguard/boss for Empress Teta and Lahakka to Kashyyyk. All the while the trio of them were wondering, the same thing.

Who was the 'traitor' in the Alliance?