The Inside Track (Dagrelle and Open)

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

After everything was said and done, s'Il wasn't all too surprised that she'd been invited to Bespin. Her meetings with the Chancellor and Esallis and Tossek hadn't exactly gone along the best route, and she had to wonder exactly what was going to be happening with this invitation from Commodore Dagrelle. There was no nervousness, only caution, and the Lupine wondered what would come of the trip itself.

Dagrelle had sent for her, asking for her presence on Bespin, and while at first she'd been resistant, eventually the man's courier had succeeded in convincing her to go. And so now, as the shuttle that'd been sent for her touched down on one of the landing pads dotting Cloud City, Lok s'Ilancy let out a slight hrmph.

She'd brought only a small duffel, a few days worth of clothes packed inside, and her slugthrowers were safely stored in the shoulder holsters beneath the leather jacket she wore. As the shuttle settled itself onto the tarmac, the Lupine stood, stretching before reaching down to grasp her pack, and plucking it from its resting place on the ground, she headed for the descending ramp, boots thunking on the deckplates.

Orange tinted sunglasses shielded her eyes from the daylight, and her clothes were a further indication of her nature - older grey infantry trousers with the suspenders left hanging, and an off-white buttonup which she left untucked over a tanktop of the same color. Her lither frame was easy to discern through the somewhat loose clothes though, and her pace was a lazy one as she ambled down the ramp, wondering why exactly she'd been called to Cloud City.

[Leon Dagrelle]

A speeder had been set to pick her up just outside the space port the shuttle had landed at. The sun on cloud city was of course always shining except at night because the city was well above cloud level and the warm rays always prooved to be a treat to those living there.

The Lupine was cautios about her invitation but in all honesty if he had wanted her here under false protenses he would have had her stripped of weapons and anything remotely useful of escape, she however, he had hoped she noticed, had been left alone by Dagrelles Black Gaurd and not only had a free will but also free speech and passage.

She would be driven to the centrel core of Cloud Citywhere she would be dropped off, lead to the recept tion of Dagrells base of operations and where she would meet Dagrelle, he was looking ford to it, it was about time she knew the truth.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Sitting in the back of the speeder, s'Il couldnt help but look from one escort to the other as that sat on either side of her. A curious look had crossed her features, and the Lupine had allowed a hint of a carefree grin play across her face. Despite her situation and the fact that she had no knowledge of why she'd been sent for, s'Il found herself wanting to desperately pester the men.

At least it would give her something to do.

[Leon Dagrelle]

Leon of course was within his office, it was nothing special, in fact it was crammed full of book cases, stuffed full of books and god knows what else lurked within the dust. His desk was pilled with pads and the like that he was slowly sifting through and it was, to him, becoming extremely annoying.

His office upstairs was under contruction since the last smuggerler he had put away shot off a blaster nonone had found upon his person and so it blew the window out and killed a gaurd, but he was taken down with relative ease.

Seeing the Lupine woman again was going to be nerve racking since they had left on such friendly terms and Leon had hardly any friends at all.

That knock at the door would come any moment now and Leons pits were churning madly.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The trip to the Commodore's office was uneventful, and her escort's said not a word. Oh well. She'd settle for staring at them, then.

Once arrived at the administration offices, the Lupine followed as she was led through the maze of hallways and corridors, past office doors both open and closed. The complex itself was nicely funrished, and the atmosphere gave it an open feel - strange being that it was an Imperial held city. She never would have thought they'd use their surroundings to influence their architecture - though, to be honest, She figured it was just how Cloud city always was; the Imperials simply transplanted themselves and adapted.

Leading her past a receptionist's area, they stopped her at a door, then turning back the way they'd come and marching off.

Well, ok then...

And lifting an arm, the Lupine rapped her knuckles lightly on the door, not bothering to use the chime.

[Leon Dagrelle]

' Enter...' Leon said weakly as he began to sort though a box of datapads that had recently been transported down from his more perminant office.

As she walked in Leons heart missed a beat and the Commodore very nearly dropped a host of pads upon the floor, luckily however he managed to keep his nerve.

' I have been expecting you, how are you?' Giving her his undivided attention, Leon gestured towards a poff chair and went to the drinks cabinet. ' Drink?

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She smiled genially, still hefting her duffel over her shoulder, and as he gestured towards the chair, s'Il obliged. Lowering her small frame into its' leather depths, the Lupine let her bag rest at her feet, and leaning forward, she rested her elbows on her knees.

She had never seen Dagrelle in the work environment - she'd always seen him either at gatherings on Thyferra or in much more casual settings, but never in an office of any sort.

"Oh, I'm fine." Her eyes wandered, taking in box of datapads sitting on his desk, and the fact that they seemed so disorganized caused her to raise her brows just a tad.

At his offer of a drink, s'Il nodded gently. "Sure. Anything, really."

[Leon Dagrelle]

Catching the look on her face he replied confedently ' Hey, im cleaning up okay? Unfortionetly, even with the number of officers i get to order about, i still dont have a maid.' Smiling slightly he turned with a unopened beer can in one hand and a glass of a amber looking malt in the other, none formal like he tossed the can to S'ilancy.

' Talk a while, or get to the point...your choice.'

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She caught the can easily enough, not really bothering to open it just yet. Instead, the Lupine settled for watching him closely, her metallic eyes locking with his.

"Well," she started carefully, "you're the one who asked me to come here, so I'm afraid I'm at your 'mercy', shall we say. I have nothing to get to the point about, so I'm afraid I'll just have to settle for what it is you've asked me here for."

[Leon Dagrelle]

' A proposition, or slightly bad news?' he said simply sitting down behind his desk.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The Lupine wasn't exactly sure as to the nature of his words, so she kept her eyes on him, slowly opening the can she'd been tossed. The his of escaping carbonation greeted her ears, and with a mild smile, she took a sip.

Finally, she spoke. "You called me here for a reason - so I came; albeit a little grudgingly, yes, but I still came." Her head lowered then, as she stared at the floor.

"I figured after a while that it might be important."

[Leon Dagrelle]

' The proposition then, how would you like to race for me?' Leon said simply.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Now this was surprising - something she hadn't exactly expected. He wanted her to race for him?

"Well, I'm not sure. I've got alot of things going on back on Thyferra - The Chancellor has... " she paused, letting her eyes dart to the side before going on, "... contracted my services for some projects."

She looked back to him as he sat at his desk. "He's keeping me safe from Esalis in return."

A sigh.

"What kind of race."

[Leon Dagrelle]

' The Federacy and Mr.Sevon are hosting a Galactic cross galaxy race very soon, dates unconfirmed. I am sponcoring one person to be my flyer as i have a rather handsome wager with a few collegues of mine. '

Leon stood up and turned to look out of his spare office window. Taking a sip of the malt he savoured the taist before continueing.

' I know only one person who i would trust with the machine my design team are currently designing...'

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She only looked at him, listenng as he explained about this apparent race that Khendon was hosting - in a manner of speaking, at least. Dagrelle was sweet, he really was, and that it seemed he wanted her to pilot this craft of his, she couldn't help but offer him a slight smile.

"It's certainly something I'll have to think about."

The Lupine stood as well nthen, setting her drink on the cluttered desk.

"Now. What's the not so good news."

[Leon Dagrelle]

Leon sighed sadly and turned from his window to view her.

His face said it all, he looked sad, fearfull.

' They are after you S'ilancy, i dont know the details or who is quite behind it, but what i do know, is that your being set up, somone wants you out of the Sovereignty and at my level i have no authority to stop it...'

Setting his glass upon the desk he searched the Lupines eyes, he did not know how she would react.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il sighed, stuffing her hands in her pockets as she turned from Dagrelle. She knew she was being watched, but not that she was actively being sought out and slated for... well... something.

"Well," she paused, her voice halting a little, "I suppose that's what happens when you don't register."

The Lupine gave Dagrelle a look from over her shoulder, her hands balling into fists.

"I can tell you right now it's Esalis."

[Leon Dagrelle]

' She and i have shared words, aye' Leon said watching her closely, she had her hands in her pockets, perhaps he should of had her searched, a weapon perhaps. ' I had to tell you.'

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Pulling fists from her pokcets, s'Il pounded one on the back of the chair. She was silently fuming, and with a huff she lowered herself back down into the leather.

A string of curses, muttered under her breath, were all that could be heard as she leaned back. Her hand came up then, slowly and methodically, and she unclipped one of the holsters resting around her shoulders, pulling her slugthrower out and leveling it at Dagrelle's head.

With a strange sense of calm and annoyance, she spoke.

"You 'shared words', with her, eh? And what did you two talk about?"

Those metallic eyes narrowed - scrutinizing the Commodore, the barrel of the firearm steady as she centered it between his eyes. "Did you sit and plan ways to bring me in to custody?"

[Leon Dagrelle]

' You know i would only have to call and my death would mean yours...' Dagrelle said, standing perfectly still. ' There is a whole battalion of stormtroopers out there and a small crew of my elite gaurd, your on the 5th floor, you wouldent get out alive yourself.'

He stood silently for a moment and then continued.

' But im not going to because i asked you here to tell you, not to arrest you, not to turn you against me and if i wanted your arrest would i ask you to fly for me?' He said gesturing to her with his hands.

' Use this up here will you S'il?' he said tapping his temple with a finger.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The Lupine gave a manic grin, refusing to lower her gun just yet, "Use my noggin? I haven't been right in the head for ages - "

She blinked, and the once metallic sheen of her eyes was replaced with a tawny yellow. Another blink, and her eyes were once more their normal color.

"- not since becoming an animal."

The gun lowered slowly then, and she held it in her lap.

[Leon Dagrelle]

' Well? He asked impatiently.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"Well what," she snapped back, her head canting to the side.

"Why would you ask me to race for you if all you wanted was to incarcerate me?"

A finger tapped against the barrel of the slugthrower. "A false sense of security, perhaps."

[Leon Dagrelle]

' If thats what you really think, why dont you frelling pick up the damn slughthrower and blow my head off, go on, i dare you!' Leaning close to her, hands on desk he looked her dead in the face and waited.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Her answer was simple.

"You haven't called your guards. Most officers would have called in stormtroopers by now; but you haven't.

"That is what stopped me."

[Leon Dagrelle]

' Would you like me to call the gaurds in?' He said standing up as if to make way to the door.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"No."

Her answer was swift, and she stood as well, holding the slugthrower at her side, pointed to the ground. She still wasn't sure if what he said was true - that he wasn't intending to place her under arrest, but the look in his eyes was eating away at her. She could see the conviction and sincerity within them, and her voice became quiet.

"... don't."

She flicked the safety back on. "I'm sorry."

[Leon Dagrelle]

For a moment a devilish memory flickered within his mind, a life long since gone a life that seemed like it never happned. This is how he used to treat his wife, Camilla. He would threaten her with things he was not intending to do, to scare her, to hurt her and now he was doing it again, to S'Ilancy.

He shook his head and turned his head towards her, somewhat of a sad feature lingered upon his face.

' I am sorry also, i dont know what came over me'

Why when he looked at her did he refere to his wife in thought?

Sure he cared for S'Ilancy or he would not have her here, now, telling her of what was planned for her, risking his career, risking perhaps even exicution.

That thought strayed a tad from his mind and he turned back to his desk.

' I have given alot of trust telling you this, you could very well blow my cover S'Il so i hope you can trust me and not have to resort to weapons to find out what you want...'

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

With a grimace, the Lupine reholstered her weapon, still refusing to meet Dagrelle's eyes. She had no intentions of ratting the man out, but still. she had to be sure - even now though, s'Il was still a little wary.

"I had to be sure," was all she had the energy to say.

[Leon Dagrelle]

' But yes, you could bet your bottom credit on it being that bastard Grand Inquisitor, trust me there are alot on our faction that hate her gutts, but none of us have the authority' Leon said taking his head back behind the desk.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il sat back down herself, running a hand through her hair. A quick glance was sent to the door, but it stil had yet to open, admitting stormtroopers, and so she let the muscles of her shoulders relax a little.

"She wouldn't be where she is if she wasn't good at what she did," was her grumbled response.

Only, Esalis seemed to be too good at what she did, and the Lupine found herself scowling.

"That woman seems to have nothing better to do than to discredit me."

[Leon Dagrelle]

' I suggest you make no movements or actions that will highlight the fact you know, it will land you and i both in the slammer concidering there are only a few who know vaugly of the plot.' Another sip of the malt in a silent few moments.

I'm sorry i cannot tell you more...'

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The Lupine shook her head. "Don't worry - "

A thought occured to her. "You're her second in command - I would have thought you to be just as zealous as her in preserving the inner affairs of the Sovereignty...

"... so why are you helping me? Why are you telling me this?"

[Leon Dagrelle]

' Because i love yo...err' Quickly reassessing his words he swiviled on the ball of his foot and expertly changed the world in mind sentance

' Because i love, love yes love to see that bastard of a high inquisitor get her just deserts, and asside of that i dont beielve in unfair circumstances being placed upon a person for innocence, though admittidly you are far from innocent. He said quietly.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The Lupine stared at him. She wasn't dumb, and his little slip-up and certainly gotten her attention. It had been a very slight mistake, but one she'd noticed regardless. s'Il narrowed her eyes just a little.

"I see."

She leaned forward then, resting her elbow on her knees and staring at him, her eyes piercing into him letting him know she'd caught him.

"Leon," she began smoothly, "You don't really know me very well. I know I'm not an innocent, and if you were to ask many people on Nar Shaddaa, they'd say without any hesitation that I deserve to die for the things that I've done. I take advantage of people and situations without a second thought, and if there's an inside track, I exploit it to its' fullest potential.

"I'm not a very nice person in the least, and I'm certainly not the best of individuals to constantly be associated with."

[Leon Dagrelle]

' I've got to say' He said slowly ' I don't rightly give a frell and if i did young lady you would be in the brig would you not? Now why don't you hold you luck true, shut up and heed my advice?' Taking a sip of bourbon he walked off back up to his window.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Canting her head, s'Il stood slowly. "Very well," she started, expression mildly confused yet seemingly set in stone all at the same time, "I'll take your warning to heart."

His words had been unexpected, as well as the tone in which he spoke.

Leaving her drink on his desk, she reached down and took up her duffel. Apparently she'd worn out her welcome, and the Lupine knew when she'd pushed someone's buttons. Throwing a mock salute to his back, she turned and headed for the door.

"I'll be leaving then, Commodore."

[Leon Dagrelle]

' If you walk out that door now, and on your own accord your going to have troopers swarming your butt from here to Thyferra, we have a Rear Admiral on leave here for the weekend and he is loyal towards the High Inquisitor, call it bad timing but it was the only way.'

Sitting down at his desk, nerves neary getting the better of him he eyed her slender body up and down once more, like he had been down for the past hour, surely she had noticed?

' I want you to spend a few days here on the base, to be sure, i want more intelligence released from my contacts before im willing to bet you are safe for the time being, of course you may leave if you wish...' The Commodore said candidly.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She stopped in midstep, then slowly turned to face him. "You want me to stay here," she repeated quietly.

The duffel dropped to the floor as her mind worked through all that had happened up until now. So that was why she'd been so heavily escorted, her trip itself so non-descript.

"You brought me," her voice was uncomfortably even, "to Cloud City, knowing that a man who is loyal to Esalis was staying here for his leave?" A short laugh. "Normally I wouldn't mind that, but right now, at this moment, this strikes me as just a tad planned out - "

She caught the way he was looking at her, and her face twisted in anger. "... No, now I see.

"You went to a lot of trouble, Commodore, to satisfy your lust. I wouldn't have expected such an effort on your part, honestly." Her hands balled into fists. "Though I should have."

[Leon Dagrelle]

Leon began to sift through the datapads upon his desk, looked at each from a second or two before throwing it down and looking at the next as if uncareing about what S'ILancy had just said, as if he really could not give two frells in the galaxy.

Of course he did this perposly.

And knowlingly that it would stir her anger.

' You really do have a short fuse dont you?' He finaly said, looking up at her from behind a data pad.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"I can't afford not to," was her only answer.

She remained unmoving.

"I've been dead twice, I've been to the spicemines, I've been to Imperial re-education institutes, I've been poked and prodded at by scientists, and I'm a drug addict. I can't let down my guard for anything or anyone.

"Otherwise I wouldn't be here with you right now."

[Leon Dagrelle]

' You mean to tell me you personaly think all i want you here for...' He calculated the right timeing for maximum guilt trip impact.

'...Sex?'

If it came down to it he would not say no to her of course, who would, i bet the old Grand Admiral would say yes a few times a night if it game down to it, but that was beside the point, guilt tripping was Leons specialty.

'...Im hurt, i really am' Vanishing behind the datapad again, he waited.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Her reaction was swift. Striding quickly and silently across to his desk, she leaned over and took the datapad from his grasp so that the two were nearly nose to nose. The way he spoke now and the look on his face from just moments before caused conflicting thoughts within her, and she wondered just what was going on. But the Lupine remained resolute in her actions, refusing to back down.

"Don't play your Inquisitoriate games with me, you piece of dren. You and your lot are devious, and I know that you don't stop until you've gotten what you want. Esalis is more than enough proof of that."

[Leon Dagrelle]

He stood up now and this time with a bolt of anger that flowed through him like a lightning. ' And WHAT...' He half yelled in her face ' Is it exsactly you think i want you here for? You callous, selfish frellbag?'

He could be just as nasty with the explitives.

' If i wanted to satisfy my lust dont you think i would have two of my gaurd enter now, strip you nakid and then hold you down while i fullfilled my desire?

'why dont you get off your friggin high horse and stop flattering yourself because to be frank its not going to happen ether way!' He was face to face with her, and now, he was angry.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Conflict. She loved it. She wallowed in it.

Grinding her teeth, the Lupine stood up straighter as he shot from his seat. Now you've done it, girl.

Oh, but there was no turning back now...

... and with a swift move, s'Il brought her hand up, slapping Dagrelle across his cheek in a vicious open-palmed strike.

Silence filled the air for a few moments, and with a surprised, wide-eyed look to the man standing before her, the Lupine backed away, shocked at her own action. Chest rising and falling, she wheeled about and once again started for the door.

Damn Esalis' loyalists -

"Fine. You win. I think I'll take my chances with Esalis' cronies," the words tumbled from her mouth semi-franticly. She knew what she'd seen earlier - the look he'd given her, but when she'd confronted him, Dagrelle's actions now completely confused her, and she had nothing else left.

[Leon Dagrelle]

' As you wish...' He said sitting defeated.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Her hand reached down, and gripping her duffel in a white-knuckled grip, s'Il pulled it up over her shoulders forcefully.

Storming through the door, she heard it close behind her before sinking into one of the chairs that sat in the small reception area outside of his office. With a tired sigh, she propped an elbow up onto an armrest before letting her head fall into her hand, holding it up. The duffel had been deposited at her feet, and closing her eyes, the Lupine felt her entire body deflate.

This wasn't how things were supposed to turn out when she left home.

There was just too much noise - to many complications.

[Mechanoid]

Something suddenly clamped around the Lupines neck from behind, something metalic and deahtly cold like a robotic hand closing around the soft flesh of the blonde S'Ilancy. Being unable to move her head in any direction at all, it was hard for her to see exsactly who or what had caught her but it was massivly strong and most certianly robotic.

She was stuck in the seat at a very uncomfortable position, if he untensed her body her neck would surely break, she could not scream and could bearly breathe at all.

'Target location being transmitted to Rear Admiral Vorcough.....' A terrible robotic voice sounded quietly within the empty reception room, eerily empty, like this had all been planned.

'Thank you Mechanoid, myself and my gaurd shall be on our way, well done Mechanoid...well done indeed'. A voice sounded through Mechanoids external comm, the Rear Admiral was coming.

Inside, Leon sat, defeated and deflated, he had lost and let her go, he picked up a datapad and continued to read abcentmindidly.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She'd been caught completely unaware, the vice-like grip around her neck unexpected and just a bit painful. Her breathing became labored, and her body completely unmoving. The Lupine had no doubts that if she did move, the thing holding her down would have no reservations about snapping her neck.

Her first though was that Dagrelle had planned this, but no. He'd warned her.

At the sound of another man's voice, stating that he was apparently on his way to collect her, made her shift slightly, but the grip on her neck seemed to tighten and instinctively, her hands went up to try and pry the mechanical fingers from around her neck.

It did no good.

[Mechanoid]

Dagrelle was only feet away, mere feet yet she would not be able to collect his attention again. The button to shift open the door to his office was only a fingertip out of reach, but a fingertip to far. Mechanoid was unmoving and it stood at command, its hand fully enveloping the neck of the blonde woman, it would not let go and the only way she would escape would be through death.

The door to the reception opened with a snap hiss and in walked a very short, balding man dressed so prestinely in uniform, you could see the Rear Admiral took after the much large headed High Inquisitor. Flanking him was his two gaurds and behind him a server robot.

'Ah, Mechanoid you have done wonders,what a fine specimin for myself to play with, her hair so pretty' The Rear Admiral touched the womans hair, it was soft and some femanine, the delight on his face was unfathomible.

It was so amazing that only a few feet away of S'Ilancy was abl to get there was her savour, Dagrelle, unknowing to the situation outside, his heart shattered.

'Come Mechanoid, bring our new friend with us, we shall....see what we can do with her' The Rear Admiral smiled sweetly. 'Borkus, tell the Commodore we thank him for his hospitality but we shall be leaving...' His right gaurd broke rank and waited outside Dagrelles office, sure not to open the door before the party had departed.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The rage clearly evident in her metallic eyes, s'Il could do nothing as she was hauled up by the grip on her neck. She couldn't even speak; couldn't let out even a groan.

With one hand still grasping the hand around her neck, she reached out frantically for the button that would open the door to Dagrelle's office, but it did no good as the thing holding her pulled her even farther from door.

And closer to the Imperial she knew was leering at her.

[Mechanoid]

The small party exited the door and just as the reception door was closing the button the Dagrelles office beeped and the Rear Admirals right gaurd entered to speak with the Commodore. Mechanoid was an extremeley strong character, half human, half cybernetics, a Cyborg. it could be beaten but it was up to S'Ilancy to use her resourcefulness.

The exit was only a few short corridors away, the corridors were mostly empty as most of the garrison were out on perrade on the Perrade grounds outside, but a gaurd crew would be mounted on posts around the base and what second rate leutenant would argue with a Rear Admiral? thats right, none. So their journey to the shuttle bay was quite uneventfull if you discount beaing stared at by most along the way.

In the shuttlebay stood a Lambrda ready to go, the rear admiral, his left gaurd and now his running right gaurd entered first and then Mechanoid who dragged the feet of the woman behind him.

The ramp was lifted.

The Rear Admiral nodded for Mechanoid to let the girl go and so he did, but as he let her go a Slug Rifle was extended in the botbots arms and pointed towards her temple, if she moved his reactions would be a thousanth of a second slower, not quick enough.

She was able to move aout the cabit but not without a heavy rifle trained on her. Silence was in the Cabin and the Rear Admiral entered his quarters and closed to door behind him.

The ship began to take off.


** Dagrelle **

The right gaurd of the Rear Admiral left quickly after thanking the Commodore for his hospitality on behalf of Vorcough. Dagrelle did not much care, the building could crash around and he would sit as it did, he had lost her.

He throw one of the pads down on the floor and sat back within his easy chair, looking up, eyes closed. Now what? that was the end of that, she would be cought now becaus she took no notice.

He felt like getting out, watching the perrade on today, catching a bit of sun that he hardly saw on this great city, Cloud City.

He pressed a buzzer to call his secretery.

BUZZZZZZ

Nothing.

He buzzed again.

Still nothing.

That was odd, perhaps she was outside- No she would not go without Dagrelles permission. Getting up and sliding open the door Dagrelle saw that the reception desk was empty, he found that very strange because-

Lokrens duffle bag! it had been left on one of the waiting chairs, she had been outside while he sat here alone. Had she gone somwhere and left it for the moment? No she would not do that, Dagrelle put two and two together very quickly, he was a very intelligent man...the Rear Admiral.

Unflicking a com that was in his brest pocket, he called Bishop, Dagrelles right hand.

'Yes Commodore?'

'Bishop...I think we may have a problem'

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She remained where she stood, crouched and glaring at the thing tasked with guarding her.

She could feel the shuttle run through it's preflight sequences, and briefly the image of the Vice Admiral's face rose to the forfront of her mind. She could have retched at the thought of what plans he had for her.

Jaw set, and muscles tensing, the Lupine bolted, hoping against hope that the thing had been given orders to not kill her. She knew that Esalis wanted her alive, and she prayed that this thing wasn't going to blow her head off.

Boy would that suck.

She ran for the boarding ramp, muscles propelled her faster than normal, and hand extended to slap the release which would lower the gangplank once again.

[Leon Dagrelle]

Shhhhhkunk Shhhhhkunk Two small cylinders with a sharp needle like point at the end shot from the barrel of Mechanoids rifle and embedded themselves in the back of the blonde woman.

THUNK THUNK

The syrum would act imedietly and would take her down extremely fast, even before she made it to the plank button. The poion shot out from the canisters of sorts and began to work around her body, quick, effectivly and without relenting.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She hit the deck hard, feeling the drug course through her veins. In a desperate attempt to escape, the Lupine reached a hand out, pulling herself along as the toxin in her system spread.

And with a dangerous growl, she began to change...

[Leon Dagrelle]

'Lock down!' Yelled one of the gaurds as he stood to stand next to Mechanoid who already was changing the attachment upon his rifle. Two other gaurds came rushing in from the cabin and with a last attempt tp keep the Lupine down the 3 gaurds sprayed the beast with a stun setting to their E-11's.

Mechanoid attached another barrel upon the end of his rifle which underneath held a large underbelly, poited, took carefull aim and fired. A large netting enveloped the beat in mid change and the netting clamps turned magnetic and thumped upon the metal of the retracted gangway holding her down to a tee.

' Bitch...' Mechanoid said, almost like a human.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Pinned down, s'Il let out a feral growl that was easily heard throughout the entire shuttle.

Her entire form morphed, fighting against the netting holding her down, and soon enough her body had changed.

And now, glaring at the thing that'd dragged her into the shuttle in the first place, the massive silverbacked vornskr remained trapped. But in her eyes was pure hate.

[Mechanoid]

***-Creature under control, Searching, Creature Lupine, Name: Unknown...-*** Mechanoids head zipped in a few short quick flicks before once again looking at the formed Lupine.

***-Former Transformation: Slender Blonde Female, White, 90-110 pounds: Personalty....Bitch-*** Mechnoid crouched down by the silverbacked Lupine, far enough away to be safe of course and looked her up and down, he now decided he hated her.

In a robotic way of course.

' You will not escape, you know this, you have gotten yourself way over your head, calm yourself and accept your fate!' The Cyborg stood back up, and from then on, did not move, did not speak and di not think, he was simply there to gaurd.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Fighting the drug which flooded her body, s'Il let out a groan, trying to move from beneath the net that was pinning her down.

She wouldn't accept this form of capture - or any form, and the beast continued to struggle.

[Jimmy]

' Three hundred thousand credits, no less' Troy said flatly as he neatned out a crease in his dinner jacket. The assassin stood unmoving in the presence of Dagrelle, Bishop and a few of Leons personal gaurd. Troy hated working for Imperials but to be called up from such short notice he knew he could minipulate the situation and call for top dollar.

'Three hundred thousand credits for a retrieval sortie?' Dagrelle asked shortly, Dagrelle hated hireing outsiders to do his dirty work, he would rather do it himself, but to send his gaurds after a rear admiral would be professonal suiside and if it was under Escalis' orders, it could course a internel civil war.

' I am a Assassin Mr. Dagrelle not a baby sitter, i Kill, its what i do and i warn you plainly, people are likely to die if they stand in my way.

I suspect three hundred thousand credits to be a very good price for the number of assassinations i may have to perform on such a mission, do we have an accord?' Sean said his eyes, those blue forsty eyes stareing daggers into those of Dagrelles.

'We do, but let it be known Mr.17, if i find you have harmed her in anyway i will have Storm Troopers so far up your butt you wont known when to shovel your crap or when to take it like a man, do i make myself clear?'

Standing perfectly still in a awkward silence, Troy nodded.

' Crystel, Commodore Dagrelle'

'Just get her back Mr.17 i'll pay you half now and half on completion'

' Acceptible... Troy was a man of little word.

' Now remeber 17, no calataral damage, i dont want this turning into a interplanet incident, keep this sweet and internal, never-' Dagrelle began, but Troy cut in with a raised hand.

' I know the drill Dagrelle, trust me you will suffer no damage in your career...'

Turning on the ball of his foot, he straitned his crimson tie and left without another word...

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Slowly but surely, the drug in her system was taking effect, and the Lupine felt her entire body succumb to sluggishness. In her mind's eye she could see how the Vice Admiral had looked at her; his eyes condescending and his expression leering as she'd been held by the mechanical... thing. It wasn't a thought that she wanted to entertain, let alone the reason behind the Imperial's words and actions.

The beast shuddered then, a small bit of hopelessness beginning to build within her. She still planned to resist with every ounce of strength she could, but with the drug subduing her, that time wasn't now.

With a whurffle, the vornskr kept her eyes on the door that the Vice Admiral had disappeared behind, envisioning the time when she would tear out his throat.

[Mechanoid]

Mechanoid stood over the beast for a good number of hours before the Rear Admiral showed himself again and this time he was dressed for the occassion. This time he was dressed in a royal red knight gown of silkly material and hd shaved and bathed and in actually fact smelt extremely clean.

' So...' The Rear Admiral began, his face showing a low smirk. 'I hear you like the company of Imperial officers do you not? Commodore Dagrelle and uh and our very Grand Admiral and a...Mr.Millard?'

The Admiral laughed slightly under his breath.

' I was thinking you might enjoy my company also, what do you say, girl?' He turned arund, showing his to her, waiting for answer.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

In the hours before the Vice Admiral had reappeared, the Lupine had once more reverted to her bipedal form, unable to do anything but remain pinned to the deck. Blissful sleep eluded her, and so she simply lay there, unmoving - staring up at the thing guarding her.

When the Vice Admiral did appear once more, s'Il couldn't help but shudder just a little at the sight of the man. And then he spoke, his voice grating on her ears like sandpaper.

"Get bent," was all she growled in response, struggling to move as far away from him as she could regardless of the net holding her down.

[Mechanoid]

' Oh fiesty now are we? we like fiesty, dont we Mech?'

The cyborg didn't move.

' Well, we have two choices. One you die, plain and simple and two you sleep with me and pretend you like it, i dont care how ya do it, make it sound genuin. The first choice i think is out of your leuge, Mech here can inflict alot of pain to sway your answer im sure.'

Mech still did not move

' Well?'

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She glowered up at him from her spot on the deck.

"What the hell do you think I am, a cheap hooker? Are you sore 'cause you can't get pleasure legitimately - you have to resort to kidnapping and rape?

What makes you think you can do whatever you want to me and not expect repercussions?"

In her eyes burned contempt.

"Grand Admiral Desaria will have you head on a plate."

[Mechanoid]

' Oh will he?' The Rear Admiral said,his lips curling into a smile. ' I seem to recall that half the Soveriegnty think you are a unregistered shape changer, a beast, a foe to be fearfull of? And with Escalis on my side i doubt very seriously he will have my head on a plate.'

Tunring around he looked her dead in the eye.

' Oh and by the way, i am married, i can have a woman at my pleasure, i just like you in perticuler.' Looking at Mechanoid he smiled again.

' Shall we allow a little demostration of what extremely good persuasive methords my loyal Cyborg has, my lady?'

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"You're pathetic," she spat out, doing her best to push herself away from the Vice Admiral.

"Your perverted little fantasies are disgusting."

In an effort to keep him at bay, the Lupine kicked a foot out, and even though it fell woefully short and ver much hindered by the net, the fire in her eyes remained as she glared up at the Vice Admiral.

[Mechanoid]

'Oh, that there was me thinking you were going to be a little more well behaved... He sighed disapointedly a little more drematic than really needed. ' A crying shame'

He nodded towards Mechanoid.

' Mechanoid, rip her arms and legs of one by one, leave her head till last,i want her to see everything, EVERYTHING' The Mech suddenly jolted forward, its first move in over 5 hours, it lumbered towards her and reached out its arms like a thing wanting to do something so desperetly.

With its strentch there was nothing she would be able to do to stop it unless she had voice command.

' You still have a chance to stop this, my lady...' The rear admiral said sniggering weasel like.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"Resorting to strongarm tactics - how brave of you."

She remained still, her eyes still on the Vice Admiral and completely ignoring the advanced of the cyborg.

"Are you so weak that you have to have a damn cyborg pummel me?" She sneered, despite her situation, "What kind of Imperials are making up the Sovereignty these days? Weaklings?"

[Mechanoid]

The Cyborg grabbed her shin roughly through the net, its hand fully enveloping around her slender leg. Inwardly a number of calculations and dimentions were sounding off, how would her leg be taken off, at what procise locations to pull it from and so on and so fourth, its computer processing compiling at the speed of light.

' I would say you have about 5 seconds till you lose you leg, what do you say blonde one?' he ignored her blatent time waisting, this was going to happen if she refused him, if she died her body would be simply thrown from the shuttle.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The hand around her calf was constricting, and the Lupine winced, shooting her hands out in a vain attempt to pry it away.

"Get you damn hands off me," she snapped.

She could feel it tightening, and gritting her teeth, s'Il glared daggers up at the Imperial. The hand gripped tighter then, and she gasped, letting out a slight yelp as she felt the bloodflow stop. A single tear formed in her left eye, and she screwed her eyes closed to hide it.

This was degrading - being forced into sleeping with a man who she considered worse than slime. She detested it. Having to make a choice between being torn apart and being raped by a man such as the Vice Admiral was horrible.

Krasst... fracking hurts...

The fingers constriced even more, and she cried out this time. She kept here eyes closed still, her hands remaining over the cyborgs in the failed attempts to loosen its' grip.

Finally, grudgingly, she relented.

"Make it stop," was her only weak reply.

[Jimmy]

'Make it stop'

A little movement in the pants department, visibly through the red gown showed the rear admiral had won. Raising his hand the Cybord stopped its assult and stepped back to its origical gaurd position, satisfied it had done its job well for its current employer. he levled the rifle back up towards the downed woman again.

' Ah, my dear girl i knew you would see sence. Come we shal make sweet sweet lov-'

zeuuuf-zeeeuff BANG!

Suddenly an explosion which crashed into the left side of the shuttle exploded in a rage of fire which engulfed the cockpit cooking its two pilots alive in a hail of screams and wails, they turned and vanished in the fliames almost right away and their bodies never seen again.

The shuttle lurched dangerously to its right and toppled both the Cyborg and its employer the Rear Admiral off their feet. The Rear Admiral smashed hard against the gangway of the corridor while Mechanoid cripped hold of some cargo netting and held of tightly.

The shuttle was loosing height dangerously quickly and there was noway ofstopping its decent since the cockpit had been wiped of its controls. The shuttle sturned upside down and did a corckscrew in mid air throwing the admiral firstly to the roof of the ship and then back down onto its side, the Cyborg however was strong enough to hold onto the netting.

The ship was now upsidedown and curvign to a virtical decent to the Bespin planet floor.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The netting holding her down was all that possibly saved her life, securing her to the deck. Hands reaching out to grab the net, she held on tighty. Still though, she was thrown about in the small space allowed, and with a curse, the Lupine ground her teeth, hanging on for dear life.

I'm taking the longest vacation possible after this...

[Jimmy]

Another explosion split the ship squarely down the center horizontaly and suddenly the front half of the ship fell away from the rear where the three remaining survivors were, it happned that quickly that to be honest hardly anyone was shocked by its vanishment, this ship was quite literally falling apart, section by section, bulkhead by bulkhead.

Since the ship was now falling vertically strait down and the front of the ship had vanished they could all see the ground speeding towards them at a incredible rate, how the Admiral was holding onto the netting the Lupine was trapped under was anyones guess but he was.

It was quite sudden that the next turn of events happned and it was so shocking to see it the Admiral let out a wail of suprise, from the operning towards where the front of the ship formaly was came a extremely loud engine noise and then suddenly a Tie Defender straffed left to just be ahead of the falling ship as if matching its speed to just stay ahead of the falling, lifeless scrap of metal.

This must have taken expert flying.

The pilot hatch opened and the head of a black helmeted pilot stuck his head out the hatch, pulled out a slug thrower and started shooting out the net clamps that were holding S'ilancy to the 'floor' of the shuttle.

One by one and with expert shooting the magnetic clamps shot off untill half of it was away, the pilot beckoned for S'ilancy to let go and leap to the roof of the Tie Defender, although currelty the three suvivors could not see the oncoming ground because of the blocking TIE, the ground was looming closely and they had a matter of minutes to get the Dutchess safetly off the falling wreckage.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Suddenly released from the object of her captivity, s'Il pummetted down to the open wreckage. Arms shooting out, the Lupine grbbed the edge and jerked to a halt, clinging for dear life to the mangled edges of the once whole shuttlecraft. It was as if someone took a can opener to the thing, and some of the jagged edges bit into s'Il's hands - but still she hung on.

Below, she could see the open canopy of the TIE underneath her, and the pilot motioning for her to let go.

After a moment's hesitation, she released her hold, and dropped like a rag doll through the air.

The first thing she felt when she hit the cockpit was the massive impact, and as she tumbled over the pilot the second thing she felt was a lancing pain shooting up her leg. Catching sight of it, the Lupine inwardly yelped - both bones of her calf were clearly visible, having torn through her flesh and pantleg. It'd impacted massively on the lip of the TIE's cockpit as she'd fallen inside, and had thusly snapped almost cleanly in two.

Lying awkwardly behind the pilot, s'Il let her head fall back and passed out.

[Jimmy]

At this point as the Lupine was now 'safetly' inside the cockpit of the TIE Defender the Mechanoid holding on with one incredibly strong hand had raised his slug rifle with his other and started raining bullits down upon the TIE. The supposed pilot who had a better shot than most Imperial pilots raised his duel slug pistols and started fireing back at the Cyborg.

One of the Cyborgs slug assualts ripped off a massive amount of the outter plating around the bi-wing which caused a significant jolt in the TIE's trajectory. The TIE arched dowards and started to slowly fall away from the operning of the 'shuttle'. The pilots hits on the Cyborg with his duel hardballers were much different, several of the projectiles were aimed so perfectly but they did little to no damage upon the armour of whatever it was, the Mechanoid.

The bullits seemingly bounced from the Cyborg's armour and were sent flying in a different direction. Unfortunetly for the Admiral who was holding onto the rope tightly next to the Cyborg, he took alot of the indirect hits that were bouncing off of the Mechanoid. Several of the bullits smashed heavily into his chest, blood was sent splattering all over the place and his face showed that his strengh had finaly come to a close, he sighed sadly and gave up.

The Rear Admiral let go of the wire meshing and fell towards the TIE, hitting the cockpit and with such a hit he could not control his momentum, he rolled off of the fighter and fell to his death silently, never to be seen again. Although the man was as nasty as they came and he was a Escalis supporter, he left behind three children, all girls and a wife who was expecting his leave in no less than a week. A sad end to such a terrible man.

One down, one to go.

And the mercenary Cyborg would be the hard one.

The pilot had run out of slugs, it was time to get away from here. The pilot hatch had been ripped off by the speed of the TIE and so the wind blew through the cockpit of the fighter like a tornado in anger. Ducking back down inside the now uncomfortible cockpit, now there were two passengers, the pilot began to push the joystick right and bank the craft.

But not quick enough. A loud ecoeing bang crashed outside of the cockpit and this could mean only one thing...

The Cyborg was aboard.

[Mechanoid]

The Cyborg had seen his master fall to his doom, dead. That was it. Connections and god knows what kind of errors were running through its mechanical systems now. This had never happned before, never had the Mech been masterless by death. This was all new and Mechanoid did not know how to handle such a situation.

It seemed to correct itself quickly though.

A mind of revenge and retribution fluttered through the Mechanoids very essence and systems, it would kill them both, rip there insides out and watch them cry in agoney, it would destroy them for what they had both done, it would make them suffer!

The Cyborg let go of the meshing and fell to the manovering TIE Defender which had begun a bank to the right. Mechanoid landed on one of the three sola panals which bent slightly under the weight of the thing. The Cyborgs magnectic undersides to its boots ignited so he could walk upon the fighter without fear of falling off.

Walking towards the cockpit hatch, slug rifle in hand, the Mechanoid intended to sinply shoot down inside the hole and kill them both in a quick wave of projectiles.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Completely oblivious to the events happening around her, the Lupine lay crumpled, unconscious, and bleeding.

The TIE jolted, and s'Il was half-thrown to the side, her back hitting the side of the cramped cockpit with a dull thud, and an involuntary groan escaped her lips.

[Leon Dagrelle]

' Is she going to be okay?' Demanded a familier voice.

'I dont know Commodore, she is severely laserated, lost alot of-'

' Do whatever it takes!'

A dreamy haze must of filled Lok's mind and a feelings of movement, being whisked down countless corridors and into so many rooms, so many voiced must have filled her unconcious but subconcious mind.

Voices muffled, hard to hear.

Days countless passed.

' Your going to be alright S'il, i promice you...'

A feeling of warmth bit lost in darkness?

Jumbled memories of voices.

'Her sticthes have been removed but i dont see any sign of her waking yet, its a Coma, these things take time...'

'Dont gimme' that Dren you stupid frell, get me the best dotors there is, money is not a player here...do it!' Demanded that familer voice again.

Another shift of memnories and minds, voices mixed with the past and present...Shadows looming over her, lights flashing through her eyelids...

When would she wake?

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Her body had worked tirelessly to mend her injuries, which was made easier by the doctors' patch-up jobs, and as her metabolism set into it's healing routine, the Lupine rested rather peacefully - nestled in the back of her subconscious like a slumbering whisperkit pup.

Time was not a factor for her, and every so often she would start to return to the waking world, but usually at the sound of voices she once again retreated to the blissful darkness to sleep.

It was the fourth time she decided to venture from her subconscious and actually succeed, and opening her eyes slowly, s'Il found herself staring up at the sterile, white ceiling above her.

She blinked, laying still.

Muted noises reached her ears, and involuntarily she turned her head to look in the direction they originated.

[Leon Dagrelle]

' Finaly decided to show up then? a simple voice said.

Dagrelle sat in a seat, alone, next to the bed.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She blinked again, trying to clear the fuzziness from her field of vision as Dagrelle came slowly into focus. The Lupine gave him a blank stare, and inhaling, she bit her lip in thought before speaking; yet even her voice was staggered, broken, and quiet.

"Why did you - who was - the TIE... "

The memory of her leg being broken flashed in her mind's eye, and s'Il suddenly struggled to sit up. "My leg - "

[Leon Dagrelle]

Dagrelle stood up quickly and pushed the woman back down again, a look of anger on his face quickly passed over his expressions, but then suddenly vanished.

' If you ruin your leg again its possible it will be perminant, its set and you spent a day in Bacta, so lay back down for Drens sake!'' Sitting back down in his chair, Leon waited a few moments for Lok to readjust.

' We found your TIE a few miles from cthe base in a local landing bay it had landed and the cockpit only had you inside., a few tweeleks had to inform the authorities, care to tell me what happned? The rear admiral..Troy?'

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She didn't really fight him as he pushed her back down, only offering a grumbled "I'll be fine," before falling silent and listening quietly to him. s'Il let her eyes wander, trying to recall what had happened before she lost consciousness.

It really wasn't very much.

"I don't know; I only remember jumping from the shuttle into the TIE's cockpit, and then after that - nothing. As far as I know, the Vice Admiral dropped with the shuttle into Bespin itself."

She sent another metallic gaze to Dagrelle. "Who's Troy? The pilot?"

[Leon Dagrelle]

' More or less, yes' Dagrelle said avoiding the question, dealing with Mercs at the best of times was frowned on and he did not want to take the chance that Escalis would know. Shaking his head he tried to work things out.

' So the shuttle must of been hit for it to have gone down and you jumped from the wreckage to the TIE?' He said half to himself half the Lok.

' That Troy has style, i have to say, shame about the Rear Admiral however...' He turned to her again ' You were lucky our pilot got to you in time, The Rear Admiral and his hired hands have a certain way with treating women, anylonger and well, lets just say you would be unimpressed with the results...'

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The Lupine scowled. "No, I got the idea - it wasn't really that hard to figure out."

Again, the thought of Vorcough made her grimace in remembrance, and s'Il seemed to sink deeper into the bed she lay on.

She sniffed, lifting a hand to dejectedly brush away a few locks of hair. "Thanks for coming after me - you didn't have to... " a pause, as she gathered her thoughts.

"... especially after what happened in your office."

[Leon Dagrelle]

'It wasent exsactly me was it?'' Dagrelle said moving as far away from Lok's gaze as possible, he swiftly made a journey from his seat to a jug of water on a table across the room.

Something about the subject of Troy made him uneasy but the blonde woman would never know what it was, atleast not yet anyway.

' I err, i hope he treated you well, this...pilot?'

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il stared up at the ceiling, then looked over to the far wall.

"I don't remember - I don't remember anything after dropping into the cockpit."

And with a sigh, the Lupine closed her eyes. "I didn't mean - to snap at you back in your office... "

[Leon Dagrelle]

Leon but nodded without a word at her hidden apology and smiled slightly before downing the water in his hand and placing the glass down.

' Right i must be off, i shall return to you tommrow evening as i have for the last week or so. And dont let that bloody nurse outside push you around shes about as batty as a old woman and far worse when your on medication, drives me crackers and im allowed out of here.' he rolled his eyes jokingly and made for the door.

He turned the handle and then turned around to view her once more.

' Good to have you back Lok' he said, and then without another word, left.

She had hardly seen the pilot that had saved her and for that his heart suddenly broke. A short memroy burst into his mind as he walked down the hospital wing in the bespin base, a short convosation with the mercenary Sean Troy. he had laid off the assassin, told him to go home, but paid him the full amount anyway.

Leon had slipt into the fighter pilots quarters and had quickly dressed in that ever noticible black uniform and walked out onto the tarmac ready to fly a ship he had not piloted since the Vong Invasion.

Secretly and equely sadly he had been the pilot who had saved her life.

He had been the one who pulled her from the burning, falling wreckege.

He could not trust anyone, least of all a money grabbing merceney, to do it.

And why?

Simply because he loved her.

And she would never know that he had been her savior.