8 years ago....

[Darth Turbogeek]

"The story started before the times I described". The old man stood and let the bones of hips reset, as this audience around the campfire waited "A Story only recently ended, of a souls search for something larger than himself. To know. To keep and to nurture. To rise above the norm and to be the person he was born to be. A destiny that he would eventually fail."

"But my friends, he failed. To understand that failure, you need to know where the story began, at the time he came to be Jedi. To know where the road started is where you know when the wrong step was taken. To see the footprint in history"

"He came to the Jedi a broken man and he died broken. Now here me and hear about the people of the time and listen...."


--

Setting : 8 years ago

Open RP

[Darth Turbogeek]

"Why the hell do I have to do this?!?! is this not stupid, balancing on one hand a lifting boxes with the Force?! I can do thins, why do we waste time? I want to learn how to be a Jedi!"

The MAster shook his head. So impatient. So much anger. Then again, for one who had come from the Dark Side, That might be expected. Still... The Jedi Master never wanted this job. No one did.

"You learn patience, you learn how to be Jedi"

A pause.

"WHAT?!?!"

The Master sighed. It was going to be a lonnnng day

[Nupraptor]

Blood. It started in Blood, and it always ended in Blood. Always.

The New Republic officials were always busy, no matter what time of the day it was on Coruscant. Paperwork, it seemed, was arduous than fighting the Empire. All of the High Councilors from the vast multitude of systems were gathered in the Discussion Chamber, arguing (did they ever do anything else?) over controversial new data that had arisen regarding genocide, or something of the sort. All save one.

High Councilor A'rik Bakteh, one of the last living Caamasi, was no longer that: He lay dead on the floor of his darkened office, a slender metal blade protruding several feet from his chest. Crimson blood welled in a circular stain around the wound, soaking into the expensive garb that adorned his corpse. Without the slightest consideration for the recently deceased, a foot stamped down on his body, holding it in place. With a grunt, the figure yanked free the sword, taking a moment to wipe some of the blood from it's blade. Under the hood, drawn deep against it's face, the figure grinned, a shaft of light catching it's teeth and making them shine like lamps in the relative darkness. It felt so good when a job went this well.

Raising it above his head, the man sheathed the weapon in the casing strapped to his back. Reaching into his dark robes, he pulled free a rectangular device and held it in his hand. He knelt down, setting it next to the body, and pressed a pair of buttons on it's side before standing again.

"This should leave them guessing what the cause of death was", he mused to himself. "Now for the exit."

With a dash to the open window just a few feet away ("Never saw that one coming, did he?"), the man leapt out in the cool night air, a look of pure elation on his face as he did. He caught on to the hanging rope with a practiced grace, sparing a moment to turn and look behind him just as the office exploded into a large conflagration, lighting up the darkened sky. Another job well done for the Bounty Hunter. Silently, he wondered who the New Republic would blame. Very few beings in the entire Galaxy knew the name of Nupraptor, after all.

<img src=http://nupraptor.clanhappy.com/youngnup.jpg>

[Anbira Hicchoru]

:: The day started as all days started. A look in the mirror.

Anbira Hicchoru stared...stared at the scar he was given the day he turned from the evil ways of his past and embraced the Jedi. For a man who grew up fighting to kill, it was an escape his soul longed for. Now, perhaps he could become a man of Peace. It was beginning to seem as such.

Smiling contentedly to himself, Anbira stood, adjusting the brown cloth of his Jedi robes. He had learned much in his time as a Jedi, and one of the greatest lessons was to always appreciate the innocuous and unnoticed. Sometimes victory and defeat lay in innumerable masses of fine print. The Force worked like that, binding thousands of unrelated strands of fate together, until it became one's destiny. And so...every morning, Anbira Hicchoru stretched out to find his own destiny...still clouded by the future. Even as a Jedi Master, some things were not guaranteed.

A chiming sound got his attention. It was a message from Master Yoghurt ::

Master Yoghurt, what is on your mind?

YOGHURT: Master Hicchoru, the council is prepared to convene.

Understood.

:: Anbira checked his attire once more in the mirror, before he finally left ::

[Lilaena DeVille]

Deep in the bowels of the capital planet, what appeared to be a bundle of rags lay crumpled in a corner. Sludge and slime grew on the concrete walls, and glass from broken light fixtures littered the ground. If one looked closely, you would see the slight movement of the blankets in the rhythmic motion of breath.

No ordinary passerby would notice the bundle, but had anyone passed by, they could not be called ordinary. No one walked these halls, or occupied the rooms and buildings this far down. No one really knew where the surface of Coruscant was, but this place...it had to be near, if not below, the crust of the planet.

A dirt smudged hand lay exposed to the air, long fingers curled loosely around a corner of a blanket. The only proof of life to be seen was the heave of the being's chest under the rags.

There were no sounds here, under the world, other than the screech of a lost mynock, or the squeal of an unfortunate rodent.

"Lilaena!"

The bundle jerked, and the person enclosed beneath lurched into a sitting position. Dirty fingers pushed long brown hair out of eyes, and the thin face of a teenaged human girl was revealed. She was dirty, pale, and excrutiatingly thin. Under better circumstances one might refer to her as pretty, but these were not good circumstances.

A tallish, dark skinned human male was walking to her. He was in his late teens, early twenties, and handsome. "Y'Vide, I told you to be ready to go today...and you're not!" He held a brown leather knapsack in his hand, and fidgited with the straps as he waited.

The girl scrubbed her hands over her face. "Darven, I would have been ready, but its not even today yet." She pointed to the chrono strapped on her slim wrist. "It's not even morning yet." She groaned, and made as if to collapse back under her meager covers.

The man/boy reached out and stopped her by taking her shoulder. "It's been morning for a few hours. Come on, it's time to go. Get presentable!"

Lilaena grumbled under her breath as loudly as she could, and hopped out from under her blankets. She quickly rolled them up, and, standing on tiptoe, deposited them in a chink in the wall. She yawned, and walked around the corner and through a broken doorway. The man, Darven, stood outside, tapping his booted foot and clearing his throat impatiently as he waited.

She stepped out a few minutes later, now wearing khaki pants, a dark blue blouse, and scuffed boots. Lilaena tied back her long hair with a red ribbon, and seemingly ignored Darven as he admired her lithe shape. He shook himself a little, and handed her the knapsack. She glared at it, but accepted the burden. "What time am I expected?"

"Eight o'clock at the pick up, eleven at the drop off. You know where?"

She nodded. It was a familiar routine by now.

Darven nodded as well. "Then you're off, I'll see you this afternoon, at the Green Slug. You know the tapcaf where -"

She laughed, "I remember. And I'll be ok, so wipe that look off your face."

He nodded, and waved her off, watching as she walked briskly towards the nearest 'lift. He turned, and walked away in the opposite direction.

[Vega Van Derveld]

:: Karfeddion looked pretty drab from where Vega stood. The teenage boy pressed against the window of the Brigandier, leaving condensed breath on the glass as he looked out on the slave farms before him. Running his finger across the moist patch on the window, he drew a few insignifcant symbols. The ends cut off and he stumbled back a few steps, shocking his system into action.

"Vega! Come on, we're here!"

His fathers voice bellowed loudly through his cabin. The voice was one he would not want to disobey. Vega slung his satchel packed with 'essentials' over his shoulder and ran out into the hall of the ship. As he skidded into the passage, he knocked into his mother.

"Vega! Do watch where you're going!"
"Sorry mom! Won't go it again!"

The teen ran gidly along the corridor, excited at seeing yet another new planet full of new people. He couldn't wait to test out some things he had been practicing on the locals in the area.

"Virginie, Vega.. come on.. my meeting is in less than an hour!"

Vega pushed past a droid which was cleaning the hall way, leaping over a few mechnical devices, almost tripping over some wiring. Finally, he could smell the outdoors. The smell of air, though not fresh. The air smelt of death, but Vega couldn't sense it at all. His mother obviously could as he nose twitched on occasion, unless of course she was just worried.

"You two, there's a cantina which the slaves attend just a few minutes in that direction. Go wait for me there."

Diego wafted his hand to the two and they both nodded, watching as the stylishly dressed Van-Derveld ran off towards what looked like a large military structure to the west.

Vega observed quietly for a second then span on his heel, grinning at his mother.

"Check ya later, mom. I'm off!"

Virginie streched out to grab Vegas hand but he was off, raring off into the distance, adrenaline on full power. ::

[Kaine Darklighter]

“Kaine! Get in here now! Look after the shop while I serve the customer!”

Kaine came bursting through the back door. He quickly skidded to a halt, as he nearly knocked over the customer. The old man that ran the shop, Martin, was always grumpy and mean. He was so hard on Kaine. Jumping up onto the counter of the shop, he watched as the customer, and Martin walked out from the room. He sighed softly. He hated this. One day, when he was old enough, he would run away.

What seemed like an eternity, but was only the matter of 20 minutes, passed, and Martin and the customer came back in. Martin took the money from the customer, and the customer walked out from the store. Kaine turned and looked at Martin, wanting to be let to go home. He looked at the old man with his small, red eyes.

Martin: “Okay, Kaine, you can go.. Here's your pay..”

Martin passed Kaine the credit, and Kaine's face lit up. He cought the credit, and smiled.

“Thanks Martin!” He yelled happily. “See you tomorrow!”

Kaine jumped down from the counter, and went bursting out from the shop. He was almost night time, and he needed to get home fast. Kaine's red hair waved in the wind, as he was running like never before. Coming around a corner, he slammed into what seemed like a brick wall, and bounced off it. Landing several metres away from what he had hit, he looked as if he was unconcious. Slowly sitting up, he opened his eyes, to see a teenager looming over him, with his hand outstretched, offering him help. Smiling slightly, he took the hand of the teenager, and got helped to his feet. Brushing a bit of dirt from his already scruffed up cloths, he smiled. Kaine could see that the teenagers left cheek was completely red, and figured that he was the guy Kaine ran into. Sighing softly, he looked up to the teenager.

“Were you the one I ran into?”

The teenager nodded at him.

“I'm sorry sir. Are you a slave around here? Wait, no, you cant be. You're dressed to well to be one of us. Who are you??”

Kaine stared up at the teenager with large, watery eyes.

[Vega Van Derveld]

:: Vega ran one hand back through his fringe, letting his satchel slump to the ground as it slid down his arm. Looking down at the little red-headed boy, Vega smiled his usual smile.

"You got that right. I'm not a slave.."

Flicking up the collar of his red pilots jacket, Vega placed his right hand on his right hip and leant to the side, obviously trying to look cool.

"I'm here on a trading run. My names..."

He paused. Should he just go around telling anyone and everyone who he was? Maybe he would get in trouble with his father if he did. His mind raced for a second then his mouth kicked in.

"...Oran. Oran Fett. Sorry about running into you, didn't see you coming, heh."

Vega watched as the child looked curiously up at him. ::

"Say, I heard there was a cantina around here, you know anything about that?"

[Kaine Darklighter]

“Yep, Surely do. I was just on my way there.”

He made a note of how the teenager hesitated when he went to say his name. Kaine simply grinned at the teenager, and noticed how he tried to act cool. He chuckled softly, and pointed down the street.

“It's down there. Wanna come?” Kaine said.

“Sure. Who're you, Anyways?” Oran asked.

“I'm ..”

If he wont tell me who he is, I wont tell him who I am..

“.. I'm Duos. Duos D'An. Let's go to that cantina..”

Oran nodded to him, and they both started down the street. They were talking, and laughing, as they walked down the street. Kaine was actually having fun for once in his life. Ever since he'd been a slave - Which is his whole life - he had always had bad times. His master was always mean to him. Everything in his life was just plainly bad.

Shortly after, they arrived at the cantina. They stepped into the bar, and looked around. Oran saw many people, including some species that he'd never seen before. Walking up to the bar, Kaine sat down on one of the stools, with Oran close at his heels. The bartender hastily made his way over to him.

“Hi K..”

“Hiya, I'm Duos. Can I have a fire olvide?”

The bartender saw the look on Kaine's face, and immediatly knew what he meant. Oran looked his way, confused.

“What's a fire olvide?”

“It's like a red cordial.. It's nice. Make that 2 Fire olvides..”

Grinning slightly, Kaine turned to Oran.

“You're here on a trading run.. So.. why'd you come out here to the slave area?”

[Vega Van Derveld]

:: Vega didn't notice the suspiciousness of the way Duos and the barman acted. It wasn't his place to be prying into others business really. The barman served up the two drinks suprisingly quickly.

"I've got some spare time. I don't have to be back at the Brig for a while so I thought I jus' come have a look 'round."

Vega had just now realised that Duos was a slave. Quite stupid of him infact as most people here dressed in a rather scraggy and slave-like way. He could feel lots of eyes looking at him, obviously sizing him up to see whether he would be worth mugging.

Vega kicked at the bottom of the bar, his subconcious was trying to break things again. He felt a hand on his shoulder, so turned around quickly. There was a woman walking past everyone, suggestively touching everyone up. He widened his eyes and spun back around ridgedly, grinning nervously at Duos. ::

[Kaine Darklighter]

Kaine took a quick sip from his drink, and turned back to Oran. Kaine heard "The Brig", and didn't have a clue what it was. He had a small clue though, that it was Oran's ship that he came here on.

“The Brig? What's the Brig? Is it a ship?”

[Vega Van Derveld]

:: Vega lifted his glass, almost copying Duos. He sniffed at the drink then took a look drink. It was very sweet, but nice. Vega was actually quite suprised. Not at the drink, but at the fact Duos had never heard of the Brig. He thought everyone knew about his dads ship, or at least the name The Brig (which he thought meant prison).

"Yeah, man! Haven't you heard of it? It's the best ship on all the sectors!"

Over excited, Vega wobbled on his seat, attracting even more attention to himself. ::

[Satine Capashen]

{OOC:Hmmm...Would a 5 year old be in this RPG. That's how old I would be about then...}

[Kaine Darklighter]

“Really!?”

Kaine got excited at knowing something who was on one of the best ship in all sectors. He jumped down off his stool, and looked up at Oran.

“Can we go look at it? Please?”

[Vega Van Derveld]

OOC - Yup Alpha. Anyone can join in. Kaine is like, 8, I'm 14. I would assume any age is welcome.

IC -

:: Vega slipped off his stool and stood up, grinning smugly down at Duos. He flicked some bangs from his face as gestured with his head to the door.

"Sure. Let's go."

Walking away slowly, Vega paused and glanced over his shoulder at Duos.

"Adelantado.."

Suddenly, the teen began to run, skidding out of the cantina door as he pivoted on his foot to turn the corner, heading back over to the ship.

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

Duos panted as he finally caught up to Vega. The dust swirled around the two boys as they stood in awe, staring up at the machinery infront of them. A wide grin spread over Vegas face as he glanced from the ship down to Duos. ::

"Here it is. The Brigandier."

[JediBeldarine]

**A ship cut through the expanse of hyperspace, locked on the planet Tatooine. Beldarine Del'Anar dozed at the controls, the lone person aboard. It had been so long since she had been back to this planet. Today marked the third anniversary -- how could such a sad occasion be termed an anniversary -- since the day her life was turned on its head. Three years since her surrogate mother disappeared without a trace. Three years spent barely eeking out a living as a bounty hunter, searching frantically for any evidence for what happened to Chimeia. Her mind drifted back in time; it always surprised her how vividly she remembered everything about that day. Chimeia had left to run errands, taking only a blaster from their small dwelling near the outskirts of Mos Espa. Hours turned into days, and still no sign of her mother. Contacting the "authorities" did no good, and even help from the Hutts was nonexistant. So much for favors. Her body never showed. Chimeia had simply disappeared, leaving everything she owned behind.

**Three long years Beldarine jumped from clue to clue, searching for even the slightest hint that her mother was still alive. The woman's lightsaber was laying in the co-pilot's seat. How many times had she been tempted to simply give up and become a Jedi?

It's a hopeless pipedream anyway... Who would expect me to become a Padawan?

**With a soft touch, she caressed the blaster at her side. It was getting closer, she could feel it. Bel needed this mark to stay alive financially -- needed it bad enough to return to Mos Espa. Rising, she wiped a tired hand across her eyes. Deep, dark circles engraved themselves into her face, mute evidence of her uneasy sleeping schedule. She was on the verge of exhaustion but that was of no matter. Money was what mattered today.

**Bel made her way to her small office in the hold slowly. Her legs felt stiff, and her head ached -- how long had it been since she actually felt good? Again, not a question she wanted to ask herself. Glancing at the papers, she went back over the mark's name.

Matrim SunKiller

**She always had to laugh at that name -- it was so theatrical in a sense. The man had doublecrossed the Rengallie Crime Family one too many times, and his lease on life was about to expire. The Rengallie's were very explicit in their instructions, and her payment would only be received upon delivery. A orange light went off, alerting her to the proximity of their target. Her legs felt shaky as she reentered the cockpit, strapping herself back in. Reaching up, Bel disengaged the hyperdrive jerking the ship back into normal space. She began to close in on an orange and brown colored planet. Tatooine. Her heart was in her throat as she manuevered Chimera into the planet's atmosphere.

**Suddently her thoughts did not rest on her mark, or the Rengallie's restrictions. Suddenly the only thoughts that reverberated through her mind were -- Tatooine. Chimeia. Home.

[ReaperFett]

::Fett kicks open the door, and enters the bar, pistol in either hand. He shakes a foot to remove some sand, before looking up into the crowded bar, which is now silent and staring.

"Yes. It is a gun"

Everyone stays still

"The exit is this way"

Everyone pours out the room. Fett watches them leave, slapping the backside of one girl as she runs by. The room waas then empty, and Fett got on with his job. He hops over the bar counter, and stands against a wall, next to a door, before tapping it. The door opens it, and the man inside is greeted with a pair of slugs. Diving into the now dead man, Fett leaps into the room, shooting at a man inside, killing him too. He then does a forward roll off the corpse, before diving forwards behind a large chair, laser fire arching past. Taking a deep breath and counting to three, he gets back up, to see three men, one looking of slight importance. Fett aims a pistol at the two unimportant men, and unloads both guns on them. Looking at the smoking guns, Fett drops them, and pulls out two fesh ones. Walking up to the remaining man, Fett punches him to the floor, before kneeling on his throught, aiming both pistols.

"Where is he?"

the man starts coughing blood, before responding.

"Manday. He..... He's in Manday"

Fett slowly gets up off the man, hearing a familiar click, he turns round, and empties both pistols on the man, now trying to aim a pistol. Slowly, Fett now goes to leave::

[Nichos Marr]

Lights reflected off the shiny Mos Eisley Cantina table. Though it wasn't really Mos Eisley. The real setting was a Rodian Playhouse. A special performance entitled "Greedo's Demise" was schedueled for that particular night.

Backstage the nervous boy, Nichos Marr only ten years old snuck a peak through the curtains. He had no part in this play, but his friend Heedon was nephew to the owner of the Playhouse. Both friends had scored backstage passcodes. Suddenly, the spotlights focused, and the crowd became quiet. The man playing Han Solo appeared to be sitting at the table, the stage set up to look like Mos Eisley's cantina. A slow melody began to play. A rodian looking much like Greedo walked on stage. The man rose and began to walk away, but he was pushed back into his seat.

GREEDO: Going somewhere, Solo?

HAN: Yes, Greedo. As a matter of fact, I was just going to see your boss. Tell Jabba that I've got his money.

GREEDO: It's too late. You should have paid him when you had the chance. Jabba's put a price on your head, so large that every bounty hunter in the galaxy will be looking for you. I'm lucky I found you first.

HAN: Yeah, but this time I got the money.

GREEDO: If you give it to me, I might forget I found you.

HAN: I don't have it with me. Tell Jabba...

GREEDO: Jabba's through with you. He has no time for smugglers who drop their shipments at the first sign of an Imperial cruiser.

HAN: Even I get boarded sometimes. Do you think I had a choice?

The actor slowly reaches for his gun under the table.

GREEDO: You can tell that to Jabba. He may only take your ship.

HAN: Over my dead body.

GREEDO: That's the idea. I've been looking forward to killing you for a long time.

HAN: Yes, I'll bet you have.

Suddenly, a loud boom appeared and a flash of light. Nichos ducked and covered his eyes. The melody shifted to a more depressing tune. The audience began to applaud.

[Admiral Jyener]

"Move outta the way you slob!"

*His long hair ruffled, his face scarred and burnt, the young man jumped out of the way of the wild street car. Slumping up on a nearby wall, the kid sighed and looked into the sky, watching hundreds of lights whirl by through the thin crevices of the towering skyscrapers. Where these lights in the sky the heavens? Or where they the creation of men?

This planet was no primative one, but perhaps the most modern he would ever see in his life. Yet at the same time life was wild and deadly. Life in the crowded streets were dangerous, and tough. Especially for the life of a 16 year old, one who survived merely on the raw, filthy carcases of street and sewer rats, and the stolen drinks from streetside stores. Would his life soon end in this living hell, or would he manage to escape the clutches of the planet?

[Live Wire]

*Live Wire crawled out of the wreckage of her shuttle and looked around. She cursed at not being able to bring it down near some kind of city. Aren't there any inhabited planets anywhere in this universe?? LW looked at the heated twisted metal and sighed. It just kept getting worse and worse. She could feel the weight of her blaster still at her side.

She wished she had thought to take her training saber with her but in the rush to steal the shuttle and leave without being detected she had left it behind. Good riddance...she didnt want to have anything to do with those jedi ways ever again.

Her body crackled with electricity at the thought....damn force users! They make a show of accepting everyone but could the accept her even though she was different? of course not! The hypocrisy finally drove her away and if she ever saw another force user again it would be too soon. She hated having her powers...they were a curse.*

[Garrett Blade]

*Garrett sat at the bar. Had he not been slightly hungover this still would have been a bad time to piss him off. Jaina and Carmen were okay girls now and then, but today was one of those days when you just wanted to kill them. They worked at the palace belonging to Klathurba the Hutt in the Mengsk District. They were dancers and had gotten somewhat friendly with Garrett and had hovered around him since. Garrett hand't exactly objected to their company, but he hadn't exactly told them where to go either! The cantina was a lot brighter than usual. Whether it had anything to do with Garrett's birthday was unclear to Garrett since he thought nobody cared about those things...especially regarding him. But Garrett was a little too modest - even for his liking. He didn't realise how popular he was on Tatooine. Everyone from the slaves of the Crime Lords to the Crmie Lords themselves had a certain fondness for his presence. When Blade was around...things were different. Things were happening. Garrett lit a cigarette, placed it between his lips and turned to the sullustan bartender...*

Another glass of Socorran Raava for me, and whatever the ladies are havin'!

*The girls, sitting on either side of Garrett, were gabbing away, almost deafening Garrett...*

...a blaster bolt perhaps?

*...replied Garrett to the bartender, jokingly. The two girls stopped chatting for a moment, turned to the bartender, and ordered two glasses of lum, then turned their attention back to each other and continued talking. The bartender served the drinks, smiled at Garrett - looking a little depressed - then walked to the other end of the bar to tend to the other customers. Not that the other end of the bar was the only place where customers where. The place was packed. Garrett couldn't recall a time when the cantina had been this full. As he sat their, between Jaina and Carmen, he couldn't stop thinking about the boy. A dirty, unhealthy looking, poor, scrawny little kid. It wasn't a good idea for paupers such as the kid to be hanging around the Ourora District, but nevertheless. It just didn't quite gel for Garrett...why had....it been going on? It wasn't worth thinking about. Not now. A man walked up nehind Garrett, and tapped him on the back...*

[Admiral Jyener]

*His hunger knawed away at his stomach again, nothing unusual though. Just like every other day, he took a stroll down to the nearby park, trying to learn new things everyday. The area was old, and the playsets rattled with rust and dirt. The wastelands, people would call it, was where he stayed. The park was the center of attention for beggars, the homeless, and criminals. Since he was just a child he learned to defend himself, and while at it, almost mastered the art of pickpocketing.

Usually after a walk around the park, he came to look at a pillar in the center. It supported an overhanging hotel, which practically blocked off any light that managed the reach the pits of the planet. He would look at the colorful signs, and try to make out the words on advertisements, notices, or any other information people felt free to post on it.

..Today he found something different..

It was an unusual poster, one with magnificent pictures and neatly printed lettering. Catching his attention almost immediately, he gazed endlessly at the sign, as if he had any chance of understanding the words and directions.

Nothing. He was completely clueless.

In the near distance, he heard footsteps, each step sounding like thunder to his nieve ears. Before he could turn around, he felt a gloved finger tap his shoulder. Startled, he spun around and threw his brittle fist into the man's chest.

"Heh heh, what do we have here?"

The teenager stood shocked that his attack didn't knock his target out, yet amazed at the person. Dressed down in complete white and black, the thing's head was the wierdest thing he ever saw. Not a piece of skin showed. Other than the helmut, the boy pondered about the weapon in the man's hand. Some sort of gun?

"Would you look at that, the kid's got a thing for the Empire."

*Reaching over the 16 year old, the tall, armored man ripped the sign off from the post.

"You like this huh?"

The nameless boy nodded.

"You like fighting?"

Again, another nod. With a wave of his hand, the man motioned for the kid to follow him. With the recent downfall of the Empire, they could use anyone to support their fight.

[Darth Turbogeek]

Fury. Anger. Pain. Flames. An explosion. Screams. He looked sideways and saw someone falling.

NOOOO!!

He jerked upright, awoke, sweating and the sound of the scram still hanging in the air, still burning his throat. His eyes wide and staring, breath coming in gasps as his heart hammered in his rib cage. Eyes finally saw where he was, and his gasps slowed and solidified back to regular breathing. Oh man. Not that dream again. Always he was too late and always he had watched as his wife had fallen from the platform, her dying wail ringing in his ears. He tried in the dream to do something… anything to stop it. Nothing helped. And the dream always seemed to attack him at the end of already bad night’s sleep, just when he felt at his weakest.

Why was doing the right thing so hard? Being of the Dark Side was so easy, yet walking the Light side was so difficult. He had always thought the Light side was for the weak. Now… he was discovering just how much strength and courage it really took. And he was, for the first time of his life, finding himself wanting for both. Why was this so? The Jedi Masters assigned to his training were not able to answer him, or if they did, they did so in ways he could not understand.
He swung his legs to dangle over the bed, running his hand through the sweat streaked hair. He was soaked… it must have been bad this time.

Getting up, DT moved to the change room, undressing and showering, then redressing in a clean jumpsuit. Knowing where everything was in this sparse apartment, he reached out and picked up his fighting training gear, deciding that if he couldn’t sleep, at least he could work off some of his frustration onto some of the practice dummies downstairs in the training rooms. Sure, 4am might be a funny time to practice, but it meant there would be no one else and he could be alone and if he worked out hard enough, the memories would stop. For a while. He quietly left the room, locked the door behind him, walked to the stairs and easily leapt down the stairwell to the ground below.

[Skroth da Ripper]

*Skroth woke up. He cursed under his breath. He didn't want to spend another day in this hell hole of an orphanage. He got out of his bed, and put on his clothes that were 2 sizes too small for him. He puts a cloak over that, and walks out of his room. The 6' Protoss teenager headed for the cafiteria. As he walked down the hall, he heard someone following him. He turned around and found no one there. He walked a little fearther, and heard the noise again. He turned around again and only found emptiness.*

"Whatever you guys are gonna do to me, get it overwith. I dont feel like going through this."

*Nothing but silence replied. Skroth shrugged, and continued on his way. He was a bit hungry. He quickened his pace he could smell the food. It may not have smelled too good, but he was hungry enough to eat anything. Just when he passed an intersection he felt something slam hard into his back. Skroth went down, his face slammed against the filthy floor. He felt blood trickle down his face. He turned around to see some of the other orphans.*

"Why do you guys always have to do this to me? I never did anything to you."

*The orphans start to beat Skroth while he's lying on the floor. Each blow makes Skroth cringe in pain. He never lets out a scream though. He would not give them the satisfaction of making him scream. When they are done. Skroth is nothing byt a bruised and bloody heap. His cloak is soaked in his own blood. One of the other orphans spoke up*

"We did it, 'cause we're jedi, comin to 'liminate all dats evil in da universe. You look evil enough, so we thought we'd start wit you."

*The children continued to strike Skroth with the broom sticks. This hadn't been the first time they claimed to be jedi. Skroth was pretty sick of the idea of the jedi. After a while, the group dispands, and heads towards the cafiteria. Skroth manages to get up to his feet. He looked down and saw a pool of his blood. It was nothing new. It probably happened about once maybe twice a week. Skroth limped to the cafateria leaving a trail of blood behind him. He hoped there would be some food left for him.

[Kaine Darklighter]

“Whoaaaaaaa!”

Kaine's eyes widened up, as he stared in awe at the ship. He really didn't get to see much ships, and he didn't have a clue what class of ship this was. Turning to Oran, he looked up at him.

“What is that??”

“It's a Lambada class shuttle. Cool, eh?”

Kaine turned back to the shuttle. He grinned slightly.

“Yeah!! Can we go inside?”

Oran turned and grinned at him.

“Sure.”

“Great!”

Kaine went running for the ramp, when Vega suddenly tackled him.

“Wait! There are security droids in there. You could've got killed.”

“Whoa. Really? Well, uh, Thanks, I guess.”

Both Kaine and Oran stood up, and Oran brushed some dirt off himself. Kaine simply shook his body, and dirt and dust gathered in the air around him. He coughed, and Oran laughed at him. Kaine stuck his tongue out at Oran.

“Can we go in now?”

[Vega Van Derveld]

:: Vega looked down at Duos for a second, laughing quietly. He then turned and looked up at the door of the ship.

Follow me he whispered, trying to walk stealthily into the ship. He slunk around the door and pressed his body against the wall, gesturing his hand out of the door to get Duos to come in.

Roger agent Duos.. we are clear..

A loud clang was heard. Vega quickly clenched his fist into a ball, signalling Duos to stop. The service droid rolled past Vega with a happy beep. With a sigh of relief, Vega gestured for Duos to enter again. The boy ran up into the doorway and Vega hustled him around just beside him against the wall. Vega pretended to enter some sort of code on the pad next to the door, hoping it would slide shut. Luckily, it did.

Alright he whispered lowly, I'll take you down into the secret area of the ship... where.. they keep the... deformed bodies!

Vega grinned gidly as he began to lead Duos down the hallway. ::

[Kaine Darklighter]

Kaine looked at Oran. He wasn't sure if Oran was trying to scare him, or if they were trying to hide from the security droids he was talking about. Kaine stayed really close to the walls, as he followed Oran down the hall. Oran suddenly turned left, and walked into a room, with the door shutting behind him. Kaine walked up to the door, and it slid open. Oran jumped out from behind it, yelling loudly. Kaine jumped, yelled, and went running down the hall, stopping at the ramp. Turning back around, he looked at the laughing Oran.

“Damn Oran!”

Kaine walked back up the hall, and followed Oran into the room. It was Oran's room. It was a big, but almost empty room. The room simply had a bed, a place to keep his cloths, and a window.

“I wish I had a room like this.. Mine's just a bed, and that's it.”

He sighed softly.

“I hate being a slave here..Hey.. do you think.. that.. maybe I could umn.. come with you when you leave the planet..?”

[Nichos Marr]

Nichos crawled back a few steps. The play had ended with a big bang. The audience was making cheering noises. Nichos slowly lifted himself off the ground and away from the curtains. He turned around and saw nothing.

"Heedon?" He called out.

Nichos had hoped for one, but there was no reply. The boy steadily walked on, stopping at the exit. His head spun to the right as he heard a clank. It was coming from a stairwell that led into the basement. The basement was said to be haunted, and Nichos was just a boy. He did believed that there might be something down there. He forced himself on, his tension building. Nichos reached the top of the stairwell. He looked down and saw nothing but blackness. Like a maw waiting to swallow him up.

"Heedon? You down there?" He silently said.

Nichos placed his right foot on the bottom step. He began to walk down into the darkness. He could hear the sound of dripping water, and he had to hold onto the rail to keep his balance. Nichos didn't have a good feeling about this.

[Vega Van Derveld]

:: Vega dropped down onto his bed and bounced on it a few times before settling.

I dunno 'bout that Duos. It'd be coo' to have someone come with us but I'm not sure whether pops would have you here, with you being a slave.

Vega could see the tarnished look on Duos face, showing his underlying sadness. ::

But hey, I could always ask... Hmm... tell me what you do here, Duos! If you're going to be my room mate I need to know about you!

[Garrett Blade]

Oh! Hi Jessie! How ya been?

*...said Garrett as he greeted the man who had just tapped him on the shoulder. The man was tall, taller that Garrett, dark-skinned with dreadlocks. He was wearing what appeared to be a fishnet suit, with baggy Coranifus skinned pants and a thin, green jacket which didn't cause him to get any hotter than it already was.*

"Not too bad man, not too bad! So then...I hear you scored big time last week! Got yerself another one of those runnaway T-H 12's huh!

*Garrett smiled at the mention of the accomplishment. The T-H 12's were a new class of War Droids just released by Governments across the Galaxy for patrol and response activity. The batch received by the Carratosan Government had been tampered with and the damn things went MDK on the city. Had them monsters not been eighteen foot high, perhaps the authorities would have been able to do something about them themselves. The full batch of fifty-six had buggered off, and so far Garrett had hunted down and deactivated seven of them, single-handedly. But sooner than comply with Government orders and return them to the Authorities, Garrett had made quite a handsom profit by selling them on the black market.*

Thanks Jessie! That last one took me a little longer than expected. But it was well worth it - 800,000 credits, can you believe that! Thats like...a whole eighth of what I owe Klathurba! All I need to do is catch a couple more and I'm free to do whatever the hell I like with my pay!

*Garrett looked over to the door. A couple of Barabel's walked in through the door. One of them had a bionic implant over one of his eyes. Vangar. The group walked further into the establishment, and up to the bar. They addressed the bartneder in basic, and it wasn't exactly a "how are you today?"...*

[ReaperFett]

::Fett stands outside a large building in the city of Manday. He knew the target was inside. For a long time, he stands looking at the building, waiting. After a time, another man walks over and stands next to him, looking at the building.

"Ready B?" Fett asks
"Sure am L" The man replies

The two men pull pistols out of their belts, and slowly walk towards the building...



A while later, the two come staggering out of the building, Fett supporting the injured man, with a bullet wound in his shoulder. Not walking well himself, Fett props the man up against a wall and looks round, before settling eyes on a spacecraft with its bay open. He smiles, and looks down at B.

"Follow me, I just found a ride"

Fett runs up to the craft, and waits for the occupant to start walking out. As he hears a noise, Fett spins out infront, and looks at the occupant. She was an attractive looking girl about Fetts age, looking slightly suprised at the fact there was a gun pointed at her.

"Hi, we are your hijackers for the evening, please step back onboard" he says::

[Leeloo Mina]

As she walked out of the ship she brushed her hair back from her face. Suddenly she senced someone else there.. the girl looked up-- HOLY ***** this guy, he had a gun pointed at her! Who the frell did he think he was? She looked him over-- He was around 18 maybe.. she wasnt really sure. He was a bit scruffy looking--but good looking in a way, not that it mattered. Dammit..why did she have to travel alone?! Next time she'd remember-- TAKE A FRIEND WITH YOU!! She yawned in a mocking way then bowed

"Greetings 'exulted ones' I will be the hijacked today"

She turned around and headed back on board. Nah, fighting wouldnt save her any time and nothing important was on board at the current time-- oh well, nothing big. As long as they left her alone.

[Live Wire]

*LW salvaged what she could from the wreckage and started walking. She hated plants....forrests...jungles...she hated them all!!!! As much as she hated her powers she was using them to watch for any predators that may want to try and eat her. Anything that tried to make a meal out of her was in for a shocking experience.

The best she could rememeber was that she had flown over some kind of settlement north of her crash site and so she heads in that dirrection. LW swore and curshed her way through the undergrowth and probably scared away anything nearby. It was a good thing she didnt take the astromech droid when she ran off cause she wouldnt have wanted to haul the blasted thing over this kind of terrain*

[Lilaena DeVille]

The sixteen year old girl bent down to check her boot knife as the 'lift whisked her upwards. Settling the blade back in its place, she hefted the empty knapsack, imagining what it would feel like when it was full. Full of whatever they chose to put in it this time.

Last job she had carried glit right under the noses of the local police, and no one had been the wiser. It only takes one screw-up, and you're dead, she reminded herself as the doors hesitated, and then opened. The 'lift was old, but there was a newer one that was operational to a inhabitated level nearby.

The lights had been out for years, yet the darkness did not hinder her steps as Lilaena nimbly made her way through the pitch black rooms and wide halls. She had been this way so many times...

She entered the operational lift after about twenty minutes, and sat down as it hummed upwards. Checking her relfection in her knife blade, she wiped at a smudge of dirt on her cheek. One picked up all sorts of interesting things in the darkness. Finally satisfied she was presentable, Lilaena stood, facing the doors as they swished open to reveal another passenger.

The bothan citizen's fur ruffled in a sign of greeting as it entered, and she nodded politely. No words were spoken.

Three more floors up she exited the turbolift, tan knapsack held tightly in her hand.

[Admiral Jyener]

It had been days now. Sitting in the same room, cleaner and more sanitary then he could ever imagine. Some might call it boring, but after sitting in the streets for your entire life, you learned patience. For about the seventh time, he heard intimidating footsteps come from around the corner. Appearing around the corner this time was someone different from the usual white clad guards.

"Hello, I am you're personal intructor. If you have any idea of what I am saying, nod your head."

The boy looked up and just stared into the man's eyes.

"Do you know where you are?"

This time a slight shake of his head, but still not much comprehension.

"You are on the planet, Couruscant. Repeat after me. Cour-us-cant."

These games were not amusing the teenager.

"Courascant."

[Sanis Prent]

(A stim-head's day starts at sunset. Its not the prettiest of vices, but I daresay its got a good side to it.

Sanis' blood-shot eyes cracked open as the sun went down, the red rays of the Nar Shadaa sun peering through the window of his run-down apartment. The rent was overdue, Sanis remembered. Eh, it didn't matter. He'd be evicted soon anyways. Sanis was just biding his time till he blew this damn rock off his feet, and got out into space. Nar Shadaa was a complete waste of good real estate. The vertical city had a nice atmosphere about it, if you could call smog atmosphere. The ever-present toilet smell might not be as pleasing as Alpine mists, but it had a seedy little charm to it.

Sanis kicked away the covers on his bed, careful not to wake the Twi'Lek prostitute in his bed. She was almost a bigger stimmer than he was, and if she woke up, she'd be flaunting herself all over him again for a hit off his stash. Sanis didn't give to charity. He was done with her, so she should pack up, and get out. Not that she was bad...she re-defined the term "limber". Its just that Sanis wasn't the march of dimes. He'd pay for the service, but that's about it.

Climbing out of bed, Sanis ran his hands through his messed up hair, staring into a half-broken mirror. At this hour, all he could think about was stimming up. It took the edge off of waking up at dusk. Lumbering over to the kitchenette still half asleep, Sanis reached in his cupboard, pulling out a moderately-sized hookah. Clamoring through a drawer, Sanis came out with a jar of Red Kessel Sparkle...a blend with as much bite in it as any rancor. Unscrewing the lid, Sanis dug out a spoonful of the crystals, pouring them into the hookah's holding chamber. Hitting the self-ignite switch, Sanis watched as a small blue flame jetted through the stim, causing it to crackle and smoke, with sparks popping throughout the chamber. Letting the rust-colored smoke permeate through the hookah, Sanis picked up the tube, placing it to his mouth. In a quick gasp in, Sanis took down the whole load, filling his lungs. He held the smoke in, as he felt the stim start to rush through his veins, tingling, numbing, taking the burn off of living. His eyes began to redden as the blood vessels dialated. Relaxing, Sanis slowly exhaled, the brownish smoke wafting upwards to the ceiling. Leaning back, Sanis stared upwards. He didn't know how long he was staring...just long enough for the ceiling tiles to start moving around. He stood up, putting away the hookah before that bitch woke up and wanted a hit. He wasn't charity, dammit...she should be leaving anyways.

Sanis stood up, walking to the window, and opening it...letting the smoke out. He felt like he was walking on repulsorlift shoes, the ground was so far beneath him. Walking, floating, whaatever...Sanis went back to his bed, and shook the prostitute awake. She stared at him with her green eyes. Sanis wasn't terribly moved at the moment.)

Hey, get out of my place. You're done.

(Pissed off, the Twi'Lek stood, giving him a few choice words of her own. Sanis replied with a shrug and a couple of nice gestures. She threw her clothes on, and Sanis walked her out of his apartment. Slamming the door shut, Sanis smiled.

She'd be back in a week.)

[ReaperFett]

::As Fett steps onboard, he pulls something out of his jacket, and smiles.

"Thanks for your cooperation"

Fett then activates the stun prod, and jabs it into the ship owner, knocking her unconcieus. he catches her, and drags her onboard, before closing the hatch.


Hours later, she wakes up to be seaten in the main area of the ship, with Fett accross from her, aiming his gun. As he notices her come round, he starts to speak.

"Whats your name?"

The girl sits there, not saying a word.

"Oh, sorry, I may need to remind you that so far, I havent shot you. That deserves your cooperation I would guess. So, your name, if you will" says Fett, now slightly annoyed
"Leeloo" She replies

"Nice name. Job?"
"Smuggler"
"Oh good, that should help"
"Why?"
"Because that means you cant turn us in, as you'd get banged up too" Fett replies, a half smile on his face

Fett grimmaces a little, and peels back some of his protective vest, mopping some blood up.

"Are you ok?" She asks
"I'll live"
"You never told me, whats your name"
"That isn't going to happen for a while. For now, all you need to know is that I can be your wildest dream or your worst nightmare, depending on how you are with us two"::

[Kaine Darklighter]

Kaine sighed softly at hearing that he probably wouldn't be able to go with Oran.

“Well, I work just around the corner from where you met me.. It's a ship sh-. Who is that?”

The voice of a man grumbling could suddenly be heard. Kaine backed of to Oran, and stood behind him. He had no idea who or what was coming into the ship, and really didn't want to find out. Suddenly, the door of the room next to this slid open, and a few seconds later, it shut. Kaine's heart started pounding, as he heard boots clanging against the metal plated ground. The sound got louder and louder, until finally, it stopped. The door infront of him and Oran suddenly slid open, and a large bulky man came into view.

Oran let out a small sigh of relief, and Kaine simply stood there, staring up at the man.

“Hi Dad!”

“OUT AND OFF THE SHIP! NOW!”

“But da-”

Both Oran and Kaine were suddenly lifted into the air. The bulky man who was supposedly Oran's father dragged the two out from Oran's room, and down the hall. Stopping at the ramp, he thrusted his arms out, and let go of the two kids. Both Oran and Kaine went flying through the air. Oran landed first, and tumbled off, hitting a small bush. Kaine simply bashed down into the ground, and slid across the dirt, stopping at a wall. Oran got up quite hastily, to only see his father take off in the Brigandier. A small tear came to Oran's eye, and Oran turned to see if Duos was alright.

“Duos? Duos!”

Kaine had the small of his back, and his leg leaned up against the wall, with his head and the higher part of his back against the ground. He had his eyes closed, and wasn't moving at all. He seemed unconcious.

[Vega Van Derveld]

:: Vega scrambled towards Duos, dropping to his knees in the dirt beside his young friend. He hefted Duos body and propped it carefully up against the wall, slapping his cheek to try and rouse him.

Duos? Duos! Wake up!

Duos didn't move. Vega cursed under his breath as he lifted Duos limp body, letting it lie partially over his shoulder. He got back to his feet, getting his footing whilst getting used to having the boys weight on top of his.

I'm gonna get you back to the cantina, Duos.. gonna someone to help you..

Limping off back to the cantina, Vega sighed, wondering whether Duos would be ok ::

[Kaine Darklighter]

Kaine's body suddenly shook upon Oran's shoulder. Oran almost instantly lowered him to the ground, leaning him up against a wall. Kaine coughed out a bit of dirt, as he stared up at Oran. The fall he had ruffed him up quite a bit. The thing that was notice-able the most was the large cut going across his forhead. Blood oozed out of the cut, and it slowly rolled down onto the side of his face. This really wasnt his day...

Kaine stared up at his new friend. Oran could see the pain swelling in Kaines small, red eyes. He had an urge to just burst out into tears, but he couldn't do that. Not now. Kaine simply sighed. He raised his hand, and brushed it through his natural, red hair. It was all scruffed up, like usual. He really had to get off this planet. Going with Oran probably was the only way he would've got off, but now Oran's father had left, and Oran didn't even have a way to get off.

A thought suddenly came to Kaine. Where was Oran's mother? Did Oran even have a mother? Kaine wouldn't know unless he asked.

“Hey.. Oran.. This probably seems weird to ask at a time like this, but.. Where's your mother?”

[Lady DeVille]

Imperial Center was crowded with low level diplomats this time of day. Eight o'clock was nearing, and everyone was in a hurry to wedge themselves behind their desks for another eight hours.

Lilaena picked up her pace. The pick up point was in an office on the fifth level of the secondary building. She had only been in the building once before for a job, but she remebered the way flawlessly. At the security desk she was stopped by a harried looking overweight woman.

"State your business." Even with the enviroment as controlled as it was, the woman's forehead was beaded over with sweat. Lilaena tried to keep her eyes from staring at the dark moustache over the official's upper lip as two stormtroopers in full armour took their positions by the desk.

"Message pick up, ma'am." The girl looked up towards the offices as the woman keyed into her terminal.

The security officer sighed noisily, and looked back at Lilaena. "Who called you? I'm not seeing anything concerning you in here."

"The Ambassador from Rodia. Reeda Endoo. She said it was urgent."

A few more seconds passed as the woman checked. Lilaena hoped that the order was in there, otherwise things could get a little embarassing here, and a little painful elsewhere.

"Looks like she's expecting you," the woman nodded. "Take the second turbolift on the left, and its on the fourth level." Lilaena shot her a I hate my job look, and stepped through into the metals detector.

With a beep she was stopped by the trooper on the other side. He had his helmet off, and was actually not bad looking. Lilaena submitted to a pat down, and shrugged when he found her knife. "Streets are tough these days, I don't feel safe with out it."

"I'm going to have to keep it here while you're inside." He sounded apologetic.

Lilaena shrugged again. "So long as I get it back." She didn't feel nervous as she walked briskly to the 'lift. Detatched, perhaps, but not nervous.

Once in the 'lift, she replayed what the moustached security woman had said. Fourth level? Strange, when she had been told last night it was the fifth level. Nerves threatened to rise, but she quashed them, and kept herself calm. It was probably just a mix-up.

[ReaperFett]

::Fett stands on the landing ramp, as B slowly walks off.

"You sure you dont want me to come?" Fett asks
"No, you get the money, I can get treatment myself" Comes the reply
"Ok, see you here in a week"

Fett, pushes a button, closing the ramp. He then turns round to Leeloo, who is standing behind him, still having a gun pointed at her.

"OK, take us off Leeloo"

Nodding, she heads off into the cockpit, with Fett following. The shp takes off, and within moments is in hyperspace.

Fett walks into the main area again, and staggers into a chair, falling over it. He gets up again, and turns to see Leeloo looking at him

"You sure you are alright?" She asks
"Yeah, just a....piece of....shrapnel..." Fett says, before passing out.

When he comes round again, Fett finds himself lying on one of the seats, his protective vest on the side. Turning his head slightly, he sees Leeloo sitting next to him, holding some surgical scissors

"I passed out, yes?" He asks
"Yeah, almost had me worried. Almost" She replies
"I suppose that no matter what I say now, it wont stop you try to pull the shrapnel out, correct?"
"You catch on pretty quick" She says, a smile forming on her face.

Sighing, Fett rolls over, unbuttons his shirt, takes it off and rolls back over, before accepting the bit from Leeloo.

"You'll need this"

Fett takes a deep breath, before she starts

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!"
----------

Fett looks down at the bandaging he now has on the wound, and turns to Leeloo.

"Thanks. Suppose I did need some help" He says
"No problem. I dont want someone dying on my ship"

Both smile.

"Anyway, you never told me your name" She says
"Oh yeah. Its Ash. Ash Longbaugh"

Leeloo goes to say something, but the entire ship jerks forward, knocking Fett onto Leeloo.

"That was a tractor beam!" Fett says, looking up.
"Erm, do you mind?" Leeloo asks, te wind knocked out of her.
"No actually, not at all" comes the response, as the smiling Fett rolls off.

He then helps her up, and the two run to the cockpit::

[JediBeldarine]

**She stepped out of her ship's hold, down onto the barren ground of Tatooine. Shading her eyes with a hand, she surveys the landscape. The unrelenting beige of the sand stretched for miles. In the far distance, Beldarine could make out a cluster of buildings, a city -- Mos Espa. The sand undulated from the heat of the twin suns, and soon the woman was covered with a thin sheen of sweat. Once, long ago, she had been used to the heat. It was obvious that was no longer the case. She wore tight fitting breaches of the deepest midnight blue and a sturdy white tank top. Around her waist lay a bandolier holding three pistols. Two more were fastened to her upper thighs by leather straps. The hilts of two vibroblades protruded from the tops of her boots. Another vibroblade rested in the small of her back, sheath hanging from the back of her belt. She carried a Prax Arms Dart Shooter on her hip, the darts coated in a toxin powerful enough to put an bantha to sleep for days.

**Glancing up at the sky, she squinted. It was still early morning by the looks of the suns' position, but she had much work to do. Reentering the hold, she grabbed a blue linen cloak, dyed to match her breaches. Clasping the thin silver latches, Bel arranged the cloak around her shoulders and pulled up the hood. Her heart pounded inside her breast. Inside a hidden pocket in the cloak, she placed the papers from the Rengallie family detailed the methods used to capture the man and bring him back, they also contained his description. Slowly the ship's hull closed as she walked away from it. Bel knew Chimera would still be there when she returned, it had many nasty surprises for would-be thieves.

**Her eyes were blessedly warded from the suns' dual rays, hammering her like she had never felt before. The linen cloak tried to afford her some comfort in the miserable heat, but it did not help much. It seemed like forever had passed before she walked into the outer limits of the decrepid city. She was soaked in sweat, god how she hated this planet. Her tank top clung to her, but she paid it no mind. Attempting to ignore the tremendous heat as best she could, she kept moving towards her target. The streets were familiar to her, and she followed them with ease. It was early, she reckonned she could deal with her mark later.. now.. Beldarine could confront something much more personal. With a start fueled by recognition, Bel stopped in the middle of the busy street. Every now and again her cloak would billow open, revealing the multitude of weapons she had on her. This would explain why, even in the crowded streets, people went out of their way to avoid her. Another reason might have been the look on her face -- it did not entice people to mess with her this day.

**A sign in front of the shop she stared at read "Millo Gianna's Armory." Gia.. how long has it been, old friend? How long since I left without saying goodbye? I wonder if your brother is there..... Thoughts swirled through her mind at a rapid pace. Did she wish Gia's brother to be there, or was she afraid? Her legs moved involuntarily, walking towards the opening to the small hut. Her hand reached out to part the curtain that hung in the doorway, and she stepped through.

[Lady DeVille]

The 'lift doors opened with a smooth swish, and Lilaena stepped out onto the fourth floor. The carpet muffled her footsteps as she hesitated, and then started off to the right.

Her skin pimpled from the cold air, and she shuddered involuntarily as she walked. The hall was quiet, and the doors closed. Pick up the goods, take them to the buyer, deliever the credits. Pick up the goods, take them to the buyer... She repeated the mantra over and over in her mind, keeping focused on her goal.

The office was in sight, the door slightly ajar. Reeda Endoo of Rodia was waiting for her. Lilaena was slightly curious what a diplomat was doing up to her sucker-pads in spice, but it wasn't her job to ask questions. Pick up the goods... She knocked lightly at the door.

"Come in," a Rodian female's voice called from within. Her Basic was understandable, but heavily accented. Take them to the buyer...

Lilaena pushed the door open and stepped into the front part of the office. The secretary desk was empty, and there was no life of any kind in the room. She blinked. "Hello?"

Deliever the credits... "Back here, and hurry."

She wished for her boot knife, but she cautiously approached the other door.

[Ralin Zoth]

Ralin Zoth stood there at the MandalMotors showroom. The ignition keys for his new MandalMotors Pursuer Class Enforcement Ship were hot in his hand. Excitement ran through him like lightning. He couldn't wait to take this baby for a lift.

"Well Ralin Zoth there you are... paperwork's complete looks like you're the owner of the latest model MandalMotors Pursuer Class." The Salesman said with a smile which ran ear to ear.

Ralin didn't even reply. He took the datapad from the man's hands, signed on the line and darted up the gangplank as fast as he could.

He turned to see Tal, his custom built, multi-purpose assassin droid sitting in the navigator's chair.

"Let's get out of here!" Ralin said as he punched in the coordinates on the state of the art navcomputer.

The ship hovered above the MandalMotors dealership several hundred yards before turning up on its side so that it looked like the tip of the ship was facing down. The two sailed through the Coruscant skies in their new ride, Ralin eager to get the ship detailed and branded.

"What are you going to name her?" Tal inquired.

"The Azure Raven" Ralin said as he wove through traffic with relative ease.

"There it is." Tal said pointing to the modest sign which read "Starship Detailing Services".

Ralin slowed the craft to a hover as he began to drop altitude until touching down in one of the unoccupied docking bays.

An attendant walked towards the craft circling it a couple of times.

Ralin and Tal opened the hatch and walked down the gangplank of the ship to greet the attendant.

"This is some snazzy ship ya got here." The man said without even looking at them, his eyes still glued to the ship as he inspected the craftsmanship.

"Thank you" Ralin replied as he walked towards the man.

"What can I do for you gentlemen today?" The attendant inquired.

"Well.. I want my ship branded." Ralin said as the attendant nodded.

"Alrighty and what's the name of this lovely lady?" The attendant asked.

"The Azure Raven is what she'll go by. How long'll it take I've got important business to attend to on Onderon?" Ralin asked referring to his training with Sith Lord Keelin Vas whom Ralin had been training with for several years now in the arts of the Sith.

"Well about a day I reckon if ery'thing goes right. I should have her ready for you in the morning if that suits ya."

"Well" Ralin walked forward and placed a credit chip in the man's shirt pocket. "Here's an extra 100 credits that says you'll get it done tonight."

"You got it mister, we'll take real good care of 'er you don't gotta worry about anything. You come on back tonight and we'll have 'er fixed up for ya." The attendant said followed by a wink.

"For your sake I hope so..." Ralin said as he walked off followed by his trusty companion Tal.

[Garrett Blade]

*Garrett stood quickly, knocking his stool over. He didn't appreciate unwelcome Barabels treating his local cantina's bartender like trash - this was one of the few places where he could relax after a hard days work.*

Hey! Just who the hell do you think you are acting like that!

*Garrett's voice was angry, and Jaina and Carmen were a little startled at his sudden outburst of anger. The two barabels turned round to bring their blasters to bear at Garrett. That pissed him off...but he didn't show it...*

Look guys! I don't want any trouble in here...

*The cantina wall facing out into the street came crashing down as two bodies burst through it and landed on the road several feet away...*

...so how 'bout we take it outside!

*Garrett was standing in the doorway by the time the two Barabels had stood up. He walked out into the road and grabbed one of them by the chin and dragged them along the floor. He smiled as he heard the sound of the aliens pants scraping along the tarmac surface of the road. The other one had cleared off down a side street...the unlucky one looking extremely disappointed at his buddy's desertion. Garrett stopped near a metal container - most probably containing booze for the cantina. He hoisted the Barabel up by the scruff of his neck and threw him against the container. Garrett began to punch seven kinds of Bantha dung out of the barabel...*

Obviously there are people who think they can just ruin a guys day off! Well guess what pal!!!

*Garrett buried his knee deep into the Barabels gut area, causing him to double over at the stomach...*

...This is one guy who ain't gonna stand for it!

*As Garrett pushed the alien up against the container again via his chin, he turned around slowly as he heard a strange, loud, heavy noise...*

[JediBeldarine]

**The room was dark so it took a few moments for Bel's eyes to adjust to the contrasting dim light. Blinking her eyes, she tried to rid herself of the blackness that clouded her vision. She saw a woman standing behind the counter, amid dozens of weapons in every shape and variety. After her vision had adjusted, she noted the woman's features. She had not changed much in the three years since Bel had left. Hair as blond as a wheat field fell in layers down the womans back. She was thin, but not unhealthy looking. Her grey eyes seemed as hard as agates, almost hidden by long black eyelashes. Millo Gianna had once been a slave, but her mother bought her freedom years ago. Hers, and her brothers. Bel felt like she had known them forever. Even though she had been gone often enough with Chimeia, Tatooine was their home. This had been her closest friend once a upon a time, but Bel had left. She did not know how the woman would react.

**Gia spoke, in a low voice. <font color=pink>"Welcome to my armory, guest. Feel free to look around, I am here if you have any questions." </font>The woman looked her up and down, the cloak had parted slightly, revealing the numerous weapons Bel had on her. Her face must have been hidden in the shadows cast by the hood. With a sigh she reached her hand up, removing the hood from her face.

"Hello, Gia. Do you remember my face.. it's been.. too long."

**The woman stared hard at her for a few moments before a light of recognition dawned in her eyes. Standing up abruptly, she knocked over the chair she had been sitting on. Gia rushed over to her, and the old friends caught each other in a rough embrace. Tears streemed down both womans faces as they clung tightly to each other.

<font color=pink>"My god Beldarine..." She brought her hands up to touch Bel's face, "I thought you died... disappeared the same as Chimeia. We grieved for you so long, hoping that maybe you would come back. They never found either body.. what happened?"..</font> She could barely talk, her surprise had robbed her of the power of speech. Gia began to guide her towards a chair and they both took their seats.

"It is a long story, Gia, but I will shorten it for you.. You know that Chimeia disappeared a few weeks before I did. We searched for her ourselves. I could not figure out what happened, and I was afraid. If I had told you I was leaving, you would have convinced me to stay.. especially.. Javin. So I had to leave quietly. It broke my heart, but I had to go. I am sorry for causing you unneeded anguish --but I needed to find Chimeia."

**They looked at each other for a second before Gia answered.

<font color=pink>"I understand.. I am happy you are still alright, we were so afraid. Javin especially so. He loved you, Beldarine. He still does. Have you found out what happened to your mother?"</font>

**Bel shook her head sadly,

"No.. No... I haven't found her yet.. All the clues seem to be dead ends.. One thing after another keep placing themselves in my way. All the signs point to her being alive, though why or how she disappeared without a trace can't be figured out." she sighed, trailing off.. she was afraid to ask the next question.. her heart pounded.. "Javin.. how is he? Is he still helping you run this shop?"

**The woman frowned for a second, but it was quickly masked by a smile

<font color=pink>"He still helps, occassionally. He has a new enterprise that he says will make us rich. Won't tell me what it is, that stubborn boy. He isn't here right now.. Working on his "business" he says.. He will be back by dinner time. I am sorry about Chimeia. Now.. what are you back here for? Even if you were alive, this would be the last dunghead I'd expect to find you. Have you followed your dream?"</font>

**The eagerness died in Gia's voice as she watched Bel's expression become grim. It had been a childhood dream of hers -- to become a Jedi Knight. Fueled by Chimeia's sparse Force lessons, she had always dreamed of serving the Jedi -- defending the galaxy against the dark. That dream seemed all but out of reach now, the light behind it slowly fading into the distance.

"No.. The Jedi are a different path from the one I walk. Maybe in the future, but .. it is all a dream.. an unreachable dream. I am still bounty hunting to make a living. I don't do it that often, just enough to make a living for a while. That's why I am here... a mark by the name of Matrim Sunkiller lives in this area. Alive only.. my boss gave me explicit instructions on his capture, but I was ahead of schedule anyway.. I figured I'd stop in and say hello."

**Her eyes seemed sad as she continued. Her heart lodged in her throat every time she said the man's name. Her love, the one she had loved since the day she first laid eyes on him -- was she really going to see him again? Thoughts tumbled through her head that he might have been with someone else, but all she wanted was to feel his embrace again. Bel was startled as the memories flooded back; she had hidden them away so long ago to aid in forgetting Javin, forgetting Tatooine.

"I would love to see Javin again... May I stay for dinner?"

**Gia's eyes widened in surprise at the question.

<font color=pink>"Of COURSE you can stay for dinner, Bella !!! My lord, do you think that twelve years of friendship would just dissolve!!! Please.. stay.. it would make me soo happy to talk with you again."</font>

**Bel smiled at her answer. She would have been shocked by any other one, but it still pleased her to think that Gia still thought of her as a sister. They chatted for a long time, the light slowly dimming past the curtain. Gia did not have much money, and her apartment was attached to the small shop she owned. Four simple rooms -- two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living area -- were decorated plainly. Placing a thick stew on the fire, she turned back towards Beldarine. They continued the talk at the kitchen table.. discussing details from the past three years.. waiting for Javin to show.

[Lady DeVille]

The door slid open as she approached it, and Lilaena walked cautiously into the room. The Rodian standing on the left side of the spacious office was female, and she was visibly nervous.

Her white diplomatic robes was wrinkled where her hands had clenched around the light fabric. She nodded to Lilaena, "You're here, good."

The girl nodded back, but remained silent. Something seemed out of place, but she didn't know what it was. As the Rodian gestured, Lilaena set the knapsack on the desk.

[Aisha Klan Klan]

::Following behind Himari, Aisha looked up curiously at him as they began to walk towards a nearby bar. Seeming to notice her stare, Himari looked back and smiled briefly at her::

Why are we going in there?-Aisha ::asked curiously::

A man that I’m looking for by the name of Faridasa is said to hang out here. He’s worth about 490,000 credits to whoever kills him-Himari
::Aisha looks back him inquisitively, not really sure what to say back. She then resolutely looked back at Himari to show him she wasn’t afraid even though she had only been on a few of these bounty jobs so far. Himari smirked again, admiring her bravery, Aisha was only 13 years old but she was never one to back down from anything. It was this attitude that had made him decide to let her stay with him. Just 7 years earlier, she had stood her ground to protect her mother’s body from him with a fierce determination that Himari didn’t often see even in the thousands of Ctarl Ctarl soldiers he had trained over the years. Aisha had attacked him with the fierce fighting spirit of the Ctarl Ctarl, refusing to give up even though she was outmatched. Such bravery had earned her Himari’s respect and he often wondered how good of an assassin Aisha would turn out to be. As they entered the bar, Aisha looked around the bar, wondering which one was the man they were looking for. Himari already seemed to know as he walked over to a man that was sitting alone in a dark booth in the corner.::

Is this seat taken?-Himari ::says as the man looks up at him. The man stares up at Himari, looking at the tattoo under Himari’s left eye as if trying to remember what it stood for. Suddenly a look of comprehension crossed the man’s face as he rose to his feet.::

You! You have some nerve coming in here, bounty hunter!-the man ::says angrily before drawing out a sword and raising it up to Himari’s throat. Himari ignores it as if it wasn’t there::

What? Can’t a man come in here and get a drink without someone getting upset?-Himari

Not you! You’re here to kill me, aren’t you, bounty trash?!-the man

::But suddenly the clicking sound of the hammer of a gun being cocked back is heard::

Back off now or I pull the trigger. You have double barrel rifle aimed at the back of your head and it’s your choice if you live or die. Make one wrong move and I’ll blow your head off. Just back off and you may live to see another day-Aisha ::says coldly from behind Faridasa::

You wouldn’t, you’re just a little girl trying to act like an assassin. I bet you don’t even have the guts to pull the trigger-Faridasa ::says back but a slight quavering tone can be heard in his voice::

Think so? I dare you to make a move, it’s your brain that will be splattered on the walls not mine-Aisha

::Faridasa’s eyes dart back and forth from Himari and back to Aisha. He could kill Himari but he wasn’t sure the girl wouldn’t pull the trigger. Stupidly he decides to make the wrong move as he raises his knife to slash across Himari’s throat. A booming burst of sound echoes throughout the bar as Aisha pulls the trigger. When the smoke clears, Faridasa is frozen in place with his knife still raised. The look of agony shines in his eyes as blood seeps down from a bullet wound to his head. Faridasa mutters something unintelligible before falling to the ground. Himari moves out of the way before Faridasa falls into him before grinning at Aisha::
Very good, Aisha. You didn’t balk under pressure, I might be able to make an assassin out of you yet-Himari

::Aisha lowers her rifle before putting it away:: It was nothing, it was anyone would done in the same situation.-Aisha

Nothing? You just killed one of the 3 most wanted thieves on this planet, I hardly call that nothing.-Himari

Wasn’t that what you were trying to get me to do? Oddly enough, I didn’t see any fear in your eyes-Aisha

Yes, but I didn’t think you would do that. I expected you to attack and disarm him but you did exactly what you should have done. Had my life actually been in danger, that would have been the best move to make.-Himari

::Aisha raises an eyebrow and smiles::

I think you deserve the money from this one, you did it without help so the money should be yours-Himari

Okay but don’t do that again!-Aisha ::says while punching Himari in the arm just hard enough to send him sideways a few feet::

I won’t, I just wanted to see how you would act under pressure-Himari ::says while picking up Faridasa’s body and throwing it over his shoulder, heading out of the bar::

You better not!-Aisha ::says as she follows behind him::

[ReaperFett]

::Fett and Leeloo reach the cockpit, to be met by the sight of a Star Destroyer. Not an Imperial one mind. This one was a Dark Green colour.

"Pirates" Leeloo said.

Fett walked back into the main hold, and puts his shirt and jacket back on. The ship slowly enters the hanger, as he kneels down to Leeloo

"Lets not keep our welcome party waiting now"

-----
Stepping out of the ship, Fett sees that at least fifty guards are waiting, all in simple uniforms and wielding blaster rifles. In front of them is a lone man, wearing a long black trenchcoat.

"Uh oh" Fett says to Leeloo
"What?" She replies
"That man, his name is Bay Oomin"
"Yes, so?"
"I stole a hundred thousand credits off him"
"Ah"

the two stop in front of him, and the man smiles

"Ahhh, smugglers. Ripe for the picking" He says.

He eyes the two down, before speaking again, pointing at Fett.

"I know you"
"Hi dad" Fett replies
"Very funny Ash. I remember the credits you stole from me. Maybe I can retrieve some of that debt"

He then turns to a guard, who is slowly walking towards the three.

"Take these two to the cells. Do not touch the ship"

He then turns back to Leeloo and Fett, as they are led off

"And I will see you later" He says, a smile forming on his face.

-----
The cell door slams shut, leaving Fett, Leeloo, two beds and little else.

"So, what now?" She asks
"Now, we wait for the demoralising to begin"

As he speaks, a clunk is heard

"There we go" He says
"What has?"
"Basically, they put the heating on cold, make us feel bad. Sap our spirits"

Fett then looks over to her, and sees that she is only wearing a crop top, and is already shivering. Getting up, he takes his jacket off, and puts it over her shoulders. He then goes past her, and lies on the bed she is sitting on the end of.

"What are you doing?" She asks
"Im keeping us warm. You get a decent jacket, I get some rest on the bed the furthest from the cooler"
"OK. Can I ask another question?"
"Sure, shoot"
"He said he see us later. What did he mean?"
"He didnt. He said hed see you later"
"Ah" She replies::

[Vega Van Derveld]

:: Vega glanced upwards then around the area, partially into the cantina. He had no idea at all where his mother was, but he couldn’t let that on to Duos, he’d get worried.

The cantina. She said she’d meet me at the cantina in the morning…

Vega stood and brushed the dust and dirt from his clothes as he scanned over the area.

Maybe we should get you inside..

Looking down at Duos, Vega wondered whether the cantina staff would help ::

[Kaine Darklighter]

Kaine felt something suspicious about the way Oran had said that he'd meet his mother in the cantina. But, for now, he'd have to believe him. Kaine was still in a lot of pain, especially the small of his back. From being thrown out of the ship, he had landed on a large rock, which had obviously hurt his back. Kaine sighed.

“I think the cantina people would help me .. I hope..”

Kaine sighed, and tried to stand up. With the help of Vega, the two slowly made their way for the cantina.

[Vega Van Derveld]

:: Vega helped Duos up, holding him arm around his shoulder as the two walked into the cantina.

A little help anyone?

A man at the bar rose an eyebrow before calling to two boys over.

His backs pretty badly injured, is there anything you can do to help?

"Well... you can get some rest here but there ain't no medical services here. Only the Imperials have the equipment for treating people.. means we have to pay them to use it.."

Vega groaned at the mans words, looking down to Duos. ::

[Jedi Rebel X]

"KIKRAN! GET BACK IN HERE!"

"....crap...."

::His mother had seen him try to sneak outside before doing his chores. The long, boring chores of cleaning the house and running errands left little time for fun, at least it felt like that to Kikran. Besides, living on Varonat, there wasn't that much to do::

"So close....so close to making an escape," he muttered to himself.

::As he walked into their home, a rumble was heard back outside. Turning, Kikran saw his father getting out of his ship. Kikran rejoiced, because this just didn't mean it was time to eat, but he might be able to take the ship for a flight later::

"Dad!"

::Kikran ran to his father, eager to hear what was going on in town::

"Hey there Kid," came the reply from his father, the retired pilot for the NR.

::His father went inside, followed closely by the young boy::

[Lance Casey]

The vaccum of space. An airless void that holds many secrets. A abandoned ship with some secret weapon. A military installation on some asteriod. Or perhaps a mere ejection pod. But this ejection pod is older then any new make or model. And the occupant inside? Frozen in hypersleep, possibly never to awake again. But fate has different plans. Not far away is the ice planet of Hoth. As the pod entered Hoth's atomesphere, it began to heat up, the last feeling of warmth the pod would never have again. Has it hit the ground, it did not explode. No, instead it went strait through the ground. Inot and underground base long since abandoned. As the snow settles, a small lite on the pod turns from red to green. The hatch opens. Soon there after, a single hand pops out.

(Prelude to Some other beginnings end)

[JediBeldarine]

**Gia rose occassionally to stir the stew and check on the loaf of bread warming near the fire. They mostly talked of inconsequential happenings, picking up their friendship like they had not seen each other in three days rather than three years. Bel sipped some tea from a delicate cup while they discussed unimportant matter, simply enjoying each other's company.

**Gia's head straightened as though she heard a noise. Bel listened, and heard the light steps of a man moving through the armory out front. Gia rose quickly, grabbing Bel's arm. In a hushed voice, she instructed her to go into her bedroom and hide.

<font color=pink>Bel, go.. I want to surprise him.. hurry</font>

**At her urgings, Bel quickly darted into a bedroom. She had some sense of the dramatic, but Gia was going a bit far afield in her opinion. All she wanted to do was see Javin again -- her heart beat wildly in her breast. Images and pictures flashed through her mind as she listened cosely for voices in the main room.

<font color=pink>"Javin, just in time for dinner.. take off your shoes and leave them out there.. They're muddy.. What the frell have you been doing??"</font>

**The sound of someone taking off their boots drifted faintly through the door's opening. A man's laughter was heard,

<font color=blue>"Yes, mother. Jeez, sis.. when did you become all stuffy,"</font>

<font color=pink>"When you started coming home looking like you rolled in a large mud pile. How do you get so dirty.. and what's that white stuff stuck to your hair??</font>

**A startled silence followed her question.. and then the sound of someone furiously brushing their hands through hair, evidently trying to erase whatever "white stuff" Gia had been talking about.

<font color=blue>"Nothing.. um.. nothing sis.. Don't worry about it. But anyway, how was your day?"</font>

**Bel could almost see Gia frowning at her brother before the woman began talking again.

<font color=pink>"Actually.. my day was wonderful.. I have a surprise for you.. close your eyes"</font>

<font color=blue>"Sis, I'm not going to...</font>

<font color=pink>"Close your eyes, dammit."</font>

**A grunt emitted from his throat as, Bel guessed, he complied with his sister's demands. A hand suddenly poked through the doorway and grabbed Bel's arm. She allowed herself to be dragged into the room. She stopped as soon as she laid eyes on him. He was exactly like she remembered -- perfect. His sandy blond hair was kept short and pushed back. He was wearing a short tunic and baggy breaches that hit the floor. Bel couldn't move, hell, she could hardly breathe. Gia smiled, standing between the two of them.

<font color=pink>"Go ahead, Javin.. open them, Surprise"</font>

**He pulled his hands away from his eyes, staring first at Gia, and then at Bel. When his eyes came to her, he froze into place. Her cloak was laying folded on a stool, but her white tank top clung to her curves, and her midnight blue breaches were nice quality.. her black boots were shined to perfection. His gaze never left her face, they seemed to be in suspended motion.

<font color=blue>"Bella.. oh my god.. I thought you were.. gone.. That I'd never see you again.."</font>

**Her statis broken, she rushed into his arms. They enveloped her tightly as she pressed her face into his chest. Tears started falling down her cheeks as he brought his hand around, and lifted her chin up. Their eyes locked as he softly brushed a tear away.

<font color=blue>"There, there... Bella, I always told you, you're too pretty to cry. My god, sweetheart, I still love you so much, what happened?"</font>

**She couldn't talk, just stayed locked motionless within his gaze. His green eyes were beautiful and clear, so deep. Everything disappeared but herself and her love, finally locked together again in an embrace. How many times had she dreamed of this? How many nights had she lain awake, longing to feel his arms holding her tight. They leaned forward, and thier lips met in a passionate kiss. Their first kiss in over three years.. little did she know, it would be their last.

[Lady DeVille]

Laden with a small parcel and some pointless baggage meant to keep attention away from the real contents of the knapsack, Lilaena walked quickly across the large courtyard in Imperial Center. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. It just didn't feel right.

She snorted at her own thoughts. Feel right? Jedi bull crap again. De'Ville hailed a repulsorcab and climbed in, directing the driver to Section 23.

[Garrett Blade]

*As Garrett turned around his eyes widened as he found himself staring down the three-inch wide barrel of an AttKrams Urban Assault "Rumbler" Tank. On either side of the tank were a dozen or so Barabels, all aiming blasters at Garrett. He smiled to himself, then gave the driver of the tank a dirty look. Garrett held his hands behind his back. Suddenly, the barrel to the heavy laser cannon bent back to face the tanks operator inside the turret, yet nobody had touched it...*

[Live Wire]

*LW trudged through the underbrush getting madder with every mile. Damn plants....damn ship.....damn jedi....damnit all!

She wanted off this mangy ball of rock and she hoped shed find transportation in whatever passed for a city around here. After a few more hours of walking she began to wonder where she would actually go. Coruscant maybe? Correllia? She didn't have a home and the thought of wandering around the galaxy aimlessly again didn't really appeal to her.

The jedi had offered to help her find whatever family she may have...but nothing ever came of it. Not that she had been able to give them much to go on. If she wanted to look for them she wouldn't even know where to begin...she didnt even know if she had family. Not that being alone bothered her. Alone was starting to become rather comfortable actually.*

.........That Evening...........

*Finally LW saw lights in the distance. She had indeed been walking in the right direction. As she approached the city limits she felt her connection to the force die and she stopped in shock. It was like a seeing person suddenly going blind. LW had never been cut off from the force before and it seriously disoriented her.

She walked unsteadilly into the city and headed for what appeared to be a local eatery.*

[Aisha Klan Klan]

:: Outside on the roof of the hotel of Aisha and Himari are staying in while they were here on a contract kill, Aisha trains alone. Well not quite alone, Griffen nudges her leg with his paw as Aisha with sais drawn out shadow spars with invisible opponent. Aisha ignores him so he unsheathes his claws and stabs her slightly with them to get her attention. But instead of getting the result he wanted, Griffen finds himself looking into the enraged eyes of Aisha::

Why you little! What?!-Aisha yells

::Griffen cowers back in fear, but Aisha looks away as something else catches her attention:: Himari, why won’t your cat ever leave me alone?-Aisha

Damn! I can never sneak up on you without you noticing with that sense of yours. I would say he prefers you for some reason. But that’s not the reason I’m here, I think you’re ready for the test, Aisha-Himari

The test? For my hunter’s license? Really?-Aisha ::says while smiling slightly::

Would I say it if you weren’t?-Himari

No, I don’t think you would, what do I have to do?-Aisha

Well to pass the test, you must kill one wanted outlaw of your master’s choosing, and here he is-Himari ::says while unrolling several wanted posters, the battle scarred face of a bear like man’s picture glares up from the posters::

Adaria, he looks tough.-Aisha ::says while reading the posters::

Yep, that’s really why we came here. I think you’re ready to wear the tattoo and talisman of the Ctarl Ctarl warrior besides I’ve taught you what you need to know-Himari

[Aisha Klan Klan]

(Why do all the outlaws have to hang out in the darkest parts of every town? They must like the dark, it’s a good place to hide if you don’t want to be found I guess) ::Aisha thinks to herself while walking down a dimly alleyway on the rough side of the town of Adunzu. Her ear flickers as she hears a slight sound before being grabbed from behind. A drunken sounding voice laughs right by her ear as the figure pulls her close to him::

Now what’s a pretty girl like you doing on this side of town? Girls like you shouldn’t be out on their own, they always run into guys like me-the figure ::laughs, reeking of beer::
::But instead even bothering to answer, Aisha throws her back, hitting him full in the face with the back of her head::

Why you litt-the man ::says before Aisha draws one of her samurai swords and holds it up to his throat. The man eyes the blade at his throat and gulps slightly as an uneasy, fearful look shines in his eyes. With his hair a mess of tangled locks, a face badly in need of a shave and his clothes in a dirty disarray of torn cloth, the man looks like a typical drunkard. Even though the man looked unarmed, Aisha was too angry to care, instead she glared at the terran with a look of pure loathing. In truth this was mainly because her parents had been killed by Rigans, a race similar to humans which made Aisha distrust all humans as well::

I don’t have time to deal with trash like you, now back off before I hurt you even worse-Aisha ::yells before the sound of laughter echoes from the shadows and Aisha draws her second sword:: Who are you? Show yourself-Aisha

Well if it isn’t Himari’s little brat? So he thinks you’re ready huh? Sending a woman out to do his work for him, Himari seems to be getting lazy these days. How quaint, a woman warrior, what a novel idea-the figure ::in the shadows says quietly but makes no move towards Aisha::

Master! You know this one? What do you suggest I do with her?-the drunk one ::says while rising to his feet and leering at Aisha, she only sneers back and moves her sword warningly closer to stabbing him::

You? Naduku, you will do nothing, someone who can’t even handle one girl isn’t worth anyone’s time. No, I think I will handle this one-the shadowy figure

As you wish, Master Adaria, do you want me to get the others?-Naduku

No, I can handle Himari’s brat on my own, I don’t need their help-Adaria ::says from the shadows with his eyes glittering in the moonlight::

Very well, master-Naduku ::says quietly before fading into the shadows::

Are you afraid, young one? I would think you would be-Adaria ::says while stepping out of the shadows. Standing at 6’5, he smirks, baring razor sharp teeth and his claws are at least 5 inches long. Resembling a bear mixed with a human, Adaria stares down at Aisha, looking massive and ominous, seemingly trying to inspire some fear in Aisha. Aisha just stares back, looking up him with an icy glare::

Hmm, you look just like your wanted poster although perhaps just a little bit uglier in person. Now why would I be afraid of you?-Aisha

Brave, huh? Well you won’t be acting too brave in a minute. Killing you will be the perfect payback to that yaro for killing so many buddies of mine-Adaria

Hmm, although I highly doubt you can kill me, I’m not your average girl, I’ve killed a least 1000 outlaws just like you in this year alone-Aisha

Really now? Well I too am not the average outlaw-Adaria

[Aisha Klan Klan]

:: Aisha says nothing but instead watches Adaria carefully awaiting his first move. Adaria smirks slightly but draws no weapons. Instead he walks towards her, still smirking:: Afraid to attack, little one?-Adaria ::says right before Aisha backhands him hard across the face then knees him in the groin::

Nope, I was just waiting for you to draw some sort of weapon-Aisha ::says while trying not to laugh::

::Adaria scowls angrily as blood dribbles down from his nose in a small stream:: Why you little!-Adaria ::yells before looking away:: No, I’m not going to let myself get blinded by rage, I’m not going to fall for that. It seems there is more of your master in you than you realize, brat, he has that same annoying arrogance-Adaria

::Aisha mutters something in Ctarl Ctarl::

What the hell does that mean?-Adaria ::sneers as his fur bristles up in annoyance::

::Aisha smirks slightly before answering:: Hehe, an old Ctarl Ctarl saying actually, I said "You may think you know what you’re dealing with, but believe me, you don’t"-Aisha

Well we will see about that, wench!-Adaria ::says before slashing down Aisha’s arm with his claws. Aisha only stares back at him, showing now signs of being in pain before stabbing him in the eye with her claws and then doing a backflip kick to Adaria’s face. But as soon as she lands, Adaria sweeps her legs out from under her and uses his large weight to pin her to the ground:: Whose laughing now?-Adaria :: But much to his surprise, Aisha throws her head forward, slamming her forehead into his, sending a burst of pain shooting through his head. Aisha then reaches her hand up to Adaria’s face and pain again shoots through him as Aisha’s hand burns into his skin with fire rising up from it. Howling in pain, Adaria lets go and covers his face with his hands. But he soon finds himself in a hell of a lot of pain again as his stomach is slashed open by an unknown blade. Aisha smirks and shocks Adaria severely as well before pushing him off:: I think I’m the one whose laughing now-Aisha

How? Did you?-Adaria ::asks a pain shines in his eyes as he looks down at his lacerated stomach::

There’s a reason why Himari is named what he is. He can create fireballs of power which is what his name means. And I have an unknown energy that enables me to create lightning among other things which is how I earned the nickname of Faradize.*-Aisha (* it means charged with electricity):: smirks while reaching behind her back and holding out the ring on her long braid. But instead of just looking like it normally does, like a harmless gold ring, several large spikes now jut out from it, covered in blood::
Like I said before, you don’t know what you’re dealing with, even though I may look young that doesn’t mean I’m inexperienced-Aisha ::says while turning away from Adaria. Pulling out a dagger, Aisha swiftly then stabs behind her. A choked sound of cursing is heard as Adaria reaches up to his throat in a vain attempt to remove the dagger that is now imbedded there. He coughs violently several times before falling to the ground in a lifeless heap, bleeding freely from his wounds:: Bakame Nazeera**-Aisha ::says quietly as she pulls out the dagger and wipes off the blood on her cloak before putting it away. She then grabs Adaria by the wrist and drags him back towards the hotel::

**a Ctarl Ctarl word with many meanings, but for the moment, Aisha uses it to mean about the same as yaro

[Aisha Klan Klan]

::Back at the motel, Himari tends to Aisha’s wound and wraps some cloth around it to stop the bleeding. He smirks as Griffen looks worriedly up at Aisha before Griffen jumps up onto her shoulder and rubs the side of his face to hers. Aisha smirks slightly and pets him briefly::

Ready to go now?-Himari

Of course I’m ready to go now! I passed the test, so of course I want to be able to prove it!-Aisha ::says as she stands up, jarring Griffen slightly with the swift movement:: Oopps, sorry, Griffen-Aisha

That’s good, time to head back home then then-Himari ::says and heads for the door, picking up Adaria’s body along the way::

:: One day later at the building of The Ctarl Ctarl Hunter’s Order, a young Ctarl Ctarl man’s whiskers twitch slightly as he looks at the body in front of him. His icy blue eyes look over Adaria’s body intently as he checks out the wounds on it. With his fur beginning to gray around his face, another older looking Ctarl Ctarl man’s tail lashes back and forth as he also surveys the body::

So you say she killed this one?-the older one asks

Yes, the wound across his stomach is from the spike ring on her braid and the other marks are from her claws, a dagger and some of the tricks I taught her-Himari

Mind if I see that weapon, Miss?-the younger one asks

Sure-Aisha ::says while reaching behind her then pushing down on the inside of the ring where her hair covers it. 10 spikes appear from notches within it causing the younger one to step back slightly in surprise::

Can you come over here by the body for a moment, Miss? I just want to make sure the weapon matches the wound-the younger one ::asks and Aisha does so, he also checks out her claws:: Yep, it matches up and I see no marks that match up to your master’s weapons or claws. I’ll be right back in a moment to get your talisman then we can get your tattoo done-the younger man

So you finally decided to train again when you found her, Himari? I thought after you become fleet leader, you had given that up-the older Ctarl Ctarl

Yes, I hadn’t given it up entirely though, but there was just something about here that inspired me to train her, Darzen-Himari ::smirks::

Well the fighting spirit is strong in all of us and her parents were great fighters. I remember Shiridari and Nasereda, Shiri was often getting in trouble by taking on harder jobs but he always came back with hardly a scratch on him. Her mother was just as strong but she wasn’t quite as reckless as her father. Those two are sorely missed by all of us, they were great warriors as well as negotiators, I’ve never seen people get treaties signed quicker than those two could-Darzen

Yes, I worked with Shiri often, nothing could scare him no matter how badly we were outnumbered-Himari

::A little while later::
::Aisha rubs the side of her face just under her left eye as Himari laughs:: Shut up, Himari!! This hurts like hell!!-Aisha
You’ll be proud of it later, it’s not every day you become a full-fledged assassin-Himari ::smirks::
Well I don’t like it right now, why do I need such an ugly mark of my face?-Aisha
It’s to separate you from the rest of the universe with a mark that instantly shows you’re not to be messed with. Besides the pain will go away soon and the color matches your eyes-Himari
*Aisha punches Himari just hard enough to send him sideways a few feet* Oh shut up!! You’re not helping-Aisha ::yells and begins cursing in Ctarl Ctarl::

[Lady DeVille]

Lilaena grudgingly handed the driver a credit chit, and got out of the cab. Money was scarce, and he had almost killed her more than once in the short trip. Some beings were terrible drivers.

The knapsack was light, and she carried it on her back as she walked through a doorway into the tapcaf where she was to meet her contact. The spicy aroma of cigarra smoke lingered in the air before being whisked away by the extensive ventilation system. She looked around casually.

There... Lilaena spotted the man, sitting at a corner table with a leather jacket. There was a white carnation on the table across from him. She slowly moved towards him. She had delivered to him before, but not in a while.

He looked up, made eye contact and slightly nodded as she approached the table.

[Lady DeVille]

The diplomat being involved... It still made no sense to her. Lilaena sat down lightly, holding the satchel in front of her.

The man did not smile, he never had before, and she waited for him to move his hand that rested on the table. The slight movement confirmed the presence of a chit under his hand, which he quickly concealed again. The girl smiled, and rested the parcel on the table.

Lilaena picked up the flower. "A kind gift." She knew it was simply the beacon. But light conversation would make this drop less suspicious to people at nearby tables.

He nodded, and reached the concealing hand across the table. The credit chit slipped into her hand, and she inhaled the air around the carnation. The flower did not smell good, carnations never did. He grunted, "The flower pales in comparison to your face."

The girl blushed, and pretended to hide her embarrasment by fiddling with her satchel. Her movements, however, were not accidental. The package slipped onto the table, and she stood to her feet. "Thank you for the flower."

The leather jacketed man nodded again. "My pleasure." I'll bet it is. Lilaena turned to walk away from the ill-disguised leer he was now levering at her.

An explosion rocked her backwards, fingers clamping around the fragile stem of the carnation, breaking it under the sudden strain. Light blinded, and mayhem errupted around her, but she did not scream. Lilaena scrambled under a table, and watched the red bolts of Imperial blaster fire lance through the cloud of thick smoke which rose from the flash grenade they had thrown into the tapcaf.

Her contact had thrown his table on its side, and was trading firefrom behind its cover with the troopers which were mechanically stalking through the smoke towards him. Two fell, silent in death, smoking holes in their spotless armour.

Lilaena flinched as a body fell on the top of her table, blood dripping off the side and puddling on the floor beside her.

edit~TTT

[Lady DeVille]

Her contact stared at her, and she blinked in confusion. Why so angry at me? He ducked behind his table, and then fired a few shots from the side.

Lilaena flinched as a blaster bolt sizzled by her head, splattering on the wall behind her. The screams had died down, most of the patrons had run away, or been shot in the crossfire. Stormtroopers had taken positions by the door and opposite wall, and were moving in on Lilaena and the leather jacketed man.

Then the man turned, and fired at her. Luckily for Lilaena, an Imperial bolt struck his arm at the same time, nicking his jacket, and throwing his aim off. She shrieked, and scrambled out from under her table, crawling flat on the floor to another.

He thinks I led them here... I led them here! The diplomat...the stormtroopers. It had been a set up from the start. The contact here was important enough to the Empire for them to set up a bogus drop, trail the mule, and then try and kill them both. Lilaena covered her head as ceiling plaster showered her, and her mind raced. How can I get out of this one?!

edit: waiting for more inspiration to strike..

[Garrett Blade]

*Then, Garrett heard his voice being called...in Huttese. Klathurba. Garrett should have known. 7 million credits was a fortune in the Corporate Sector, and if somebody was owed that kind of money then you'd be pretty accurate if you guessed that they'd been keeping surveillence on the person who owed them it. Garrett looked to the extreme right of the AttKrams tank. There was an open Chariot LAV - probably the one that Garrett had stolen for Klathurba the previous month, and once again Klathurba had kept Garretts pay for a fee of what he owed him. Garrett grinded his teeth as he saw the corrupt, corpulent credit-hauler making his way down the side ramp and over to him, past the barabels surrounding the tank.*

*As usual, he was accompanied by the usual lackeys - about half a dozen Grans, three rodians, two Gamorreans and...who was that? An unfamiliar face was walking alongside Klathurba. A human male, about 18 years old. He must be new - and good, seen as though Klathurba didn't tend to hire hoods that were as young as he looked. Klathurba stopped several metres away from Garrett...*

Klathurba, my main man! Wassup Bro! How ya been? Killed anyone lately? Any heists I've missed? Wait - lemme guess...you're here to wish me happy birthday...and THAT must be my birthday present!

Bwah hah hah hah hah! You always did make me laugh Blade! Unfortunately...you won't be making anybody else laugh, ever again - EVER! I don't need you anymore Blade...and I can't have somebody running around knowing about what I do if they don't work for me, now can I?

*Garrett looked around, already knowing what was about to happen. But it was useless. There was nothing he could really do besides run...but he would only die tired.*

Okay Klathurba. This is as good a chance as you're ever going to get. Just pray you don't miss me!!!!

*Klathurba waited a few seconds to register what Garrett had just said, then waved his arm slightly - and the hoods in front of Garrett opened fire with a massive volley of laser shots - 90% of which hit Garrett. After almost ten seconds of firing like maniacs, they stopped. Garrett's laser-burned body fell to the floor, lifeless.*

Though all of them did not leave straight away, they were all gone within the space of five minutes. Soon after, an ambulance had arrived to take the body to the morgue, after his body had been noticed and the bartender had called the hospital using the uplink inside the bar. The two women who were with Garrett earlier, as well as Jessie, accompanied them to the hospital, filled in the details needed, before leaving with very sad looks on their face...which would be expected after the death of a close friend...*

[Lady DeVille]

The girl choked on the plaster dust, and spit on the floor next to her. Lilaena crawled on her belly towards the far wall. There should be a window, perhaps its been blown out... She might be able to creep out unseen.

"B**ch!" The contact splattered a bolt by her head, and Lilaena screamed and jerked away from the fragments of the floor that struck at her face. She scrambled faster, further away, putting a fallen table between her and his blaster. Two scared eyes met her, a frightened man was crouching down in her new hiding place. The whites of his eyes were completely rounded, and with a burst of panic Lilaena knew she would not fit there with him. She covered her face as another bolt barely missed her, and then turned back to the man.

He protested, "There's no room! Go baaaack!" He hissed sotto voce to her, breath reeking of the wine he'd been drinking previously. Lilaena reached her flash point of fear, and pushed. The man slid out the other side of the barrier, and was picked off by stormtrooper blaster fire.

[Force Master Hunter]

::Hunter had his arms crossed, just scoping out the traffic on what was quite a nice day. Not really doing much, just watching. Lately things were becoming calm and he basically had no real need to even be armed at the moment.

Different, he would give it that. So many years spent in wars and now finally some peace and quiet. He was a New Republic Major, James T. tohmahawk and for him, he was off duty and even looked like being discharged honorably from the New Republic armed forces entirely. Looked like time for a new byline now, one that suited his skills. Mercenary most likely. Peace keeper. Gunsmith. Yeah, Something, who really knew.

Man, what a great day. Sun shining, babes walking past.... heh. Not bad at all. He sipped the drink he had ina hip flask as someone he knoew got closer.

"Hey, how goes it Nathan?"

"Not bad James, not bad! Hey, you got your orders?"

"Yeah, looks like they are letting me go. No use for a warrior if there are no wars to fight"

"Damn right skippy. what you thinking of doing?"

"Dont know yet. You?"

West shrugged. "Privateer. Dunno. I did hear that the Senate have got something cooked up tho"

"Yeah? Whats that?"

"An anti Force user battalion. Seems they are getting nervy about these new Sith and the Jedi. Want someone to keep watch over them"

"Bah, stupid idiots Jedi are. Rely on hocus pocus, they all should be shot"

West looked around. "Yeah I know... but your name's been shortlisted to lead it. They heard about that Dark Jedi you took on and killed. Seems not many others have ever done that Tohmahawk. You could be in a good gig soom mate."

"Yeah? Well, I'see it whe it happens. For now, I'm just going to check out the talent walking the street... hey look at them legs!"

West gloanced and smiled apprecatly "Niiiiiccccceeee. Reminds me of that bar... you remember?"

"Oh hell yeah! She didnt want to stop did she? Damn near gave Distre a heart attack... hang on, that my comm link. Be a sec". He answered it. "Tohmahawk"

"Major, your required at barracks. Your orders are here. Your shipping out"

Tohmahawk sighed. It was over. The military was done with him. "Well, that's it Nathan, I expect I'll pick up the paycheque and the medals and be gone. You keep well now, you hear?"

"You too James, you too"

Tohmahawk, turned and begun to walk back to base. @#%$. 20 years service to the Republic over just in a blink

--

He finished packing his personal items when his commanding officer came to see him. "Major tohmahawk...."

"General DeVeers. What can I do for you?"

"No slaute.... you think your a civilian now Tohmahawk?"

"Well, seems that way. Just been told to pack and report to your office. Seems I'm gone like everyone else"

DeVeers face didnt change. "The order came from the Chief of State herself. I dont even know what she wants with you tohmahawk, but your not going anywhere soon. Now get moving and report to my office Major. move it!"

He moved.

--

He scanned the datapad again. "I take it this is not a joke Sir"

DeVeers sat back in his chair. "No joke James. please, take a seat. And no Sir now between us, not ever again. If you wish to address me formlly, General will do fine"

"Well... yes..... but this order isnt really for one of my rank General. A Major cant command a force like the Chief of State wants"

"True James, true. Which is why we had a look at your service record. You wold be a Colonel now if you dont refuse the promotions."

"I am aware of that Sir, but I dont want to be a desk jockey. I'm best on the front line leading the men"

"I am aware of that James. Despite your reservations, I have requested to give you this." He handed over a small packet, which tohmahawk opened, rather puzzled. Two small objects dropped out and Tohmahawk swore in surprise. Two small embelms of the New Republic... the sybol of rank of a....

"No way....."

"Yes Major, or Should I say Brigader General James Tohmahawk. Your new assigment, you report only to the Cheif of State and you act as you see fit, with reason. Desk jockeys are assigned already so you can go front line if you wish" DeVeers stood. "Congratulations James. You of all people deserve this"

"Why.... why thank you... " He stood and accepted the offered hand. He had to look again. General's rank stars.... and he had an assignment to kill for..... "I wold wish to convey my gratitude to the Cheif of State. This is quite an honour."

"You can thank her in person tomorrow. Your promotion is to take place then."

He could harldy hear as DeVeers went through the details. He just sat there. A General...!

[Darth Turbogeek]

:: Dusk.

On top of one of the towers of the Jedi Council building, a hand grasps the lip and gradually, straining, hauled himself over the ledge, to roll onto his back and to breahte heavily. Oh my, that had been a stupid thing to do... to climb with on the assistance of grappling hooks to the top of this tower..

But for some reason, he had to do it. Just to prove it could be done? Maybe. To sit on the ledge, lookingat the sunset? Yeah, that too. It was one hell of a view up here. To get away from everyone?

Yes. That was it. He just wanted to sit up here and be alone, with no one else near him. Too much had happened in his life and he needed quiet now. How he wished he had been bron normal. Ten he could be a nothing, living a nothing life and never know the weight of this burden he now carried. Power was a curse in the end::

[Live Wire]

*LW walked inside looking for a quiet corner to sit and gather herself. Her eyes starred blankly at the people around her. She could see them but she couldnt feel them and it was disorienting. Never before had the world seemed dark to her senses. It was like watching a holo program, her eyes told her it was there but her senses said it wasnt. But in this case it was everything. It was like the whole world was a holo projection and she was the only thing that was real. Even more disturbing was she couldn't even really sense herself.

She could see the patrons starting to glance over at her curiously. Obviously strangers didn't wander into town everyday so her presence stuck out quite painfully. A serving droid came to take her order and she ordered something to eat and some food to take with her. If the natives turned out to be unhospitable then she would need to get out and back to where she could feel the force quickly.

The droid brought her food and she paid with some money from the bag of credits she had swiped from the jedi. She had no other means of observation other then her eyes so she tried to take in the surroundings without being too obvious.

As she finished up her meal she noticed more and more people coming into the eatery. It was mid evening so she assumed it was what passed for mealtime around here. She gathered her things planning to look for a place in town to sleep the night and find out where she could get passage off the planet for the next day. As she headed towards the door a man with blaster stepped in her path.

He was taller then her and quite imposing. Without the force as her aid it was best not to get into a physical altercation with him. She knew how to deal with people so calmly she looked up at him.*

Is something wrong sir?

*she resisted her natural impulse to be confrontational and smiled so sweetly it almost made her sick*

"You're not from around here" he observed.

*It wasnt a question. She noticed the other patrons were all looking at her direction and it wasn't to help her out either.*

"No I'm not. In fact Im looking for transportation off planet" She tried to assure him that she wouldnt be around long but he seemed to just get more irritated.

He grabbed her wrist rather forcefully and drug her to him. Snarling at her he got in her face.* "You're dressed as a jedi! Why!" he demanded.

*Her eyes narrowed as she tried to ignore the stench coming from his breath. Personal hygene around here left something to be desired.* "I used to be with the jedi. I haven't had time to change my attire. Im sorry if it bothers you"

*The man threw her back against the counter as the rest of the people started to close in on her.*

"What to you mean 'used to be'?" He spat at her.

"I mean I left the jedi. Im no longer with them. I didnt find the lifestyle to be for me."

*two men on either side of her grabbed her and held her against the counter. She struggled against them getting angrier at these backwards fools.*

"So you are sith!" he accused, pointing a finger at her chest.

*LW had run out of patience and sent shocks through the two men holding her. They let go of her and scrambled out of reach of her touch. Everyone stepped back not expecting her to have power of any sort since she was cut off from the force.*

"What I am is not of your concern. Now if you want me out of here I suggest you tell me where I can get transportation off this....."

*before she could finish her sentence blasters came out pointed at her and she wasn't willing to bet that they were on a stun setting. Her blaster was tucked away but it would do no good without the force to aid her. Defiantly she starred them down.*

"You are all cowards to gang up on the unarmed!"
*Her hands crackled with electricity. If they wanted her dead she would go down fighting and take some of them with her. To her surprise they parted leaving a path to the door.*

"Get out sith woman. Go join your own kind in the forrest and leave our town alone!" someone shouted at her.

*She hesitated for a brief moment but decided they were really letting her go. Transportation would have to be found elsewhere. She walked out the door and took the shortest route to the forrest*

[Lady DeVille]

The man screamed as he died, and stormtroopers stalked forward, moving past her. Perhaps they don't know I'm here. Lilaena dared to hope as a stun blast took down the contact in the leather jacket.

Then a white armoured hand clamped on her long brown hair, yanking her up to her feet. The girl pressed her lips together and kicked her legs as the trooper dragged her backwards over the table.

[Live Wire]

*She didn’t look back but she was sure that the townspeople were watching her to make sure she left the vicinity. Once LW was a few meters into the forest the Force was restored to her. She inhaled sharply as for a brief moment it was a sensory overload. She cast a glance over her shoulder at the lights of the city. It was so bright and yet so dark at the same time.

This wasn’t the first time LW cursed the powers that made her different. If she wasn’t outcast cause of her natural powers then it was because of her force powers. It was a catch 22. What was more frustrating is she didn’t even know where the powers had come from in the first place. Was she born with them? Was it something that hit her as she got older?

Not even the Jedi could answer those questions for her. All they could tell her is that she was most likely born with the force potential. They couldn’t begin to understand let alone explain her electric nature and they feared it more then anything.

The farther she traveled from the city the darker the woods got. Darkness didn’t really bother her, especially now that she had the force flowing through her body once more. She sat down to rest for the night using her powers to make a small fire for warmth. The flames reflected off of her dark eyes and shadowed her form.

Her eyes were starting to flutter closed from exhaustion when she sat up startled. She quickly extended her senses into the woods but found nothing. Just when she was relaxing again she heard it…like a faint whisper in the back of mind that tickled the back of her neck.*

[Lady DeVille]

Lilaena cried out as the trooper threw her to the ground. He spoke to another one, their communication rasping through the speakers in their helmets. "What are our orders concerning the girl?"

The other, a lieutenant, looked down at her. "The Empire is running another load of conscripts to Carridia. Put her in with them." She clamped her lips shut as the trooper yanked her to her feet again by her hair, and pushed her towards the door.
________________

Lilaena stared numbly at the floor, where her hair was laying by her feet. Her left hand rubbed her scalp, feeling the short hairs tickle her palm. Then a uniform was pushed into her hands and she was literally kicked out the door towards the unisex barracks.

Frell.

[Figrin D an]

"... and if that is all, this council meeting is adjourned."

The Jedi Master Rmiao rose from his chair and motioned for the others in the chamber to do the same. The Council members and New Republic guests began to move about and mingle with one another, seeking out those with which important business needed to be conducted. Master Yoghurt ambled slowly toward the main doors, talking to a guest Jedi following directly behind him. The younger man was thoroughly entrenched in whatever story or anticdote that Yoghurt was sharing. Across the room, Jedi Boricua was talking with two members of the New Republic military, presumably about the recent skirmishes with the Imperial Navy near Kessel. The Jedi, immense in stature, towered over the other men. Boricua was an intimidating physical presence, but he spoke with a concise and steady tempo and an amiable dynamic. Rmiao, as was typical, attracted more attention than he desired. After nearly every council meeting, the Jedi Master was mobbed by people wishing to speak to him. His ascension to Council Primary was something he welcomed, but it often provided for many headaches. Ever since SirDizzy stepped down from the post and began to travel in the unexplored regions of the galaxy, Rmiao was looked to more and more as a leader... the leader.

Figrin, moving quietly, attempted to sneak away from the main chamber before the others noticed.

Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful...

"Master Figrin, may I speak with you?"

Figrin stopped paused before he turned around. He knew the voice all too well...

Not again..., thought the Jedi silently.

The Jedi replied in a firm voice, "If this is about Bothan/Rodian trade dispute, tell the Senators if they don't start acting like respectable ambassadors of their peoples, I'll have the the issue brought before the Republic Trade Regulatory Commission and they can both forget about keeping the matter quiet."

"Oh, no, it's not that, Master Figrin," chimed Farin, "it's something far more important, from what I can gather." Farin was one of the many administrative assistants to the Galactic President's office, and was assigned to handle contacts between the President and the Jedi. Ever since Figrin had become the Jedi Ambassador to the Senate, Farin was a contant presence ... and sometimes irritation.

Figrin turned, a curious, but relieved look crossing his face. "Just as long as I can stay away from those horrid trade negotiations..."

"Most definately, Master Figrin," replied Farin. "The Galactic President needs to see you. He wouldn't speak directly of the matter at hand to me, but it would seem that it is about the... recovery mission that you proposed to him last month."

The Jedi's demeanor changed from curiosity to collected approval.

"He has changed his mind then?," inquired Figrin.

"It would appear so, although I believe he is still concerned about security. He likely will insist on more than one capital ship in case uninvited guests decided to crash the party," answered Farin.

The Jedi frowned. Figrin wanted to keep the operation as quiet and low key as possible to aviod attracting too much attention. However, at least now it seemed that he was finally getting throught to the President on this one. He had to grasp the opportunity while it was before him.

"Thanks for the update, Farin. Tell the President I'll meet with him later in the day."

The rest of the council room was beginning to clear out. Figrin, avoiding further conversation, left to instruct his morning class.